We are already seeing it all over the stores, fall and Halloween are in the air. As children pick out their costumes and people everywhere prepare for one of the biggest candy holidays of the year, we caution you with which candies you allow your children to eat. Think of their pearly whites.

If you are unsure which candies will do the least amount of damage, we are sharing some of the best and worst candy for your teeth. 

Worst Candy

While we all love these candies, they can be the most damaging for your child’s teeth. Have caution and be careful with how much of these candies your child consumes during trick or treating.

Gummy/Sticky Candy

These are some of the worst candies for your teeth because they are some of the hardest to get off and out of your teeth. Because they are harder to remove, they may stay on your teeth longer, which can allow cavity-causing bacteria to settle in. 

Hard Candies

Did you know hard candies can actually break teeth? If children are not cautious while consuming hard candies, they can easily break or chip their teeth trying to chomp down on them. Additionally, hard candy tends to stay in the mouth longer, causing sugar to constantly be washing over the teeth the candy is sucked on—not such a good scenario for those pearly whites. 

Sour Candy

Sour candy is typically coated in sugar and extremely acidic. That acidity can weaken your enamel and make your teeth more susceptible to cavities. If the candy makes you pucker up, chances are you should avoid it. 

Best Candy

Here are some of the better candies for your teeth! If you are in doubt on which candy you can feel better about letting your child consume, you will be safe with one of these options.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a favorite Halloween candy—and one of the best for you to eat. Chocolate washes off the teeth easier than other candy. Furthermore, dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate, so your child will be consuming way less sugar than they would with other candies.

Chewing gum

Gum is actually a good option for children because it helps to produce saliva which aids in rinsing bacteria from the teeth. The Xylitol in chewing gum is beneficial and helps neutralize acid-producing bacteria that can be found in other candies and foods. 

Nuts in Candy

Candy bars that include nuts are great because they help to break apart the stickiness and assists in the sugar not hanging around as long. The nuts in candy bars can help scrub away sugar that may be stuck to the teeth. 

Tips for candy consumption on Halloween

Let your kids have what they want in moderation but remember these tips while they devour all that sugary goodness during this time of the year.

• Eat candy right after a meal instead of snacking on it throughout the day. 
• Avoid sucking or chewing on candy for long periods of time.
• Do not brush your teeth right after eating candy. Instead, chew some gum and let the Xylitol work its magic for some time.
• Consider trading candy for other treats such as pennies, stickers, pencils, etc.

Remember Your Daily Hygiene Routine! 

We don’t want you to go out and cancel Halloween. Your children need this day for all the fun it brings—memories of dressing up and binging on a day of candy is good for everyone once in a while. Just remember that brushing twice a day and flossing at least once per day is important to the overall health of your teeth. As long as you are sticking to your usual dental hygiene routine, you will be able to enjoy all your favorite candies on October 31^st. 

For more information on how to keep your teeth looking and feeling their best, visit The Complete Dentistry of Orland Park for all your regular dental cleanings and emergency dental needs!