The day the temperature seems to drop 20 degrees, we immediately begin thinking about Halloween. As kids, this holiday was among the most exciting times of the year. If we were lucky, we received seemingly infinite amounts of candy that would take almost the entire year to consume. Eating tons of candy is all fun and games until you visit the dentist and learn you have countless cavities. When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth produces a weak acid. This acid eats away at the minerals in your tooth’s surface, making your tooth weaker and increasing the chance of a cavity forming

Here at the Princeton Center for Dental Aesthetics and Implants, we want to make sure you and your family maintain pristine oral health while also enjoying the fun holiday. Here is a list of the safest and worst candy to indulge in from an oral health perspective.

chocolate candy

Chocolate                                                                                             

 Chocolate is among the best candies for the health of your teeth, which is good because they are a candy commonly passed out on Halloween. Chocolate washes off your teeth easier and faster than other candies, giving bacteria less chance to create a cavity. Additionally, dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate.

Sugar-Free Candy

            Since sugar is the enemy of your oral health, these candies are not bad for your teeth. These candies also stimulate saliva production, which is positive for your teeth. Excess saliva eliminates some of the bacteria and plaque that cause cavities and other tooth problems.

Gummy Candy

            Gummy bears, gummy worms, etc. are among the worst candies for your oral health! These candies stick to your teeth and are hard to remove. This gives the cavity-causing bacteria more time to eat away at your teeth.

Hard Candy

            These candies are also notably damaging to your teeth. If you are not careful, it is possible that these candies can break your teeth. Additionally, you tend to keep these candies in your mouth for an extended period of time, which causes the sugar to stay in your saliva and coat your teeth.

Sour Candy

            Sour candies have a lot of acid in them which can be dangerous for your teeth. Acid can weaken the hard outer shell of your teeth, which can make your teeth more cavity prone.

 

            Indulge in some candy on Halloween, but be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to prevent cavities and other oral health issues. If you have a toothache or simply want to take preventative measures, call the Princeton Center for Dental Aesthetics and Implants at 609-924-1414 to schedule an appointment!