Forget ghosts, ghouls, and goblins; for parents, there’s truly nothing spookier than a mouth full of cavities! We know, it’s tough to deny your children the sugary delights that line the shelves throughout the season and fill their buckets and bags to the brim on Halloween night. Let this post be your go-to guide on what candy is safer to let your kids indulge in, and what candy to stay away from.
The Least “Scary” Candies for Teeth
Sugar-Free Gum
Sugarless gum is the best you can get when choosing a sweet treat at Halloween and year-round. Not only does the gum lack sugar, meaning it can’t cause cavities, but chewing sugar-free gum stimulates saliva production. Saliva is important for rinsing and remineralizing teeth, which keeps them strong.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is the healthiest candy out there. It contains minerals and antioxidants with plaque-fighting powers. Go for the lowest-sugar option you can find that is also caramel-free.
Nutty Bars
If you’re going to choose a type of candy bar to treat your kid to this Halloween, make sure it’s one that’s packed with crunchy nuts. Nuts are a healthy add-in, and they can break up some of the sugary stickiness contained in the candy bar.
Eat at Your Own Risk…
Sticky, Chewy Candies
Candies like jelly beans and gummy worms are never a smart choice for the teeth. These sticky candies are tough to clean off the teeth, and are packed with plaque-causing sugar, which therefore tends to linger, contributing to tooth decay. And if they are sour-flavored, their acidity poses an additional risk to the tooth enamel.
Hard Candies & Lollipops
Not only are these treats packed with sugar, but they can irritate the top of your child’s mouth. Additionally, biting down on them can easily lead to a broken or chipped tooth.
Achieve & Maintain Healthy Teeth at Storybook Smiles
You can let your kiddos enjoy a few treats this Halloween season, but encourage them to consume their candy in moderation, to drink plenty of water, to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, and to floss daily. Moreover, be sure their next cleaning and checkup with us at Storybook Smiles Children’s Dentistry is on the books. To schedule, contact our office today.
Image from Rawpixel
