Halloween is just around the corner and with costume season upon us, children grow ecstatic for all the candy they get to sink their teeth into. This year parents should pay a little more attention to their children’s candy choices as their teeth could be exposed to more danger than it can normally handle. We all know that candy is bad for our teeth, but some candy is actually worse for your teeth when exposed to.
Research shows that the worst candy for teeth comes in varieties of hard candy, gummies and sticky candy. Parents and kids need to be aware of the effects that their candy is having on teeth, which makes it difficult for trick-or-treaters to cope with every year. The dental procedures that your dentist provides is at an increased risk of damage when exposing the mouth the tasty treats. Explore healthier alternatives this year and choose candy that is safer for your smile and trick-or-treaters.
Reduce Time with Sugar Exposure
Halloween treats that can be eaten quickly are the best for adults and children. Candy such as chocolate and sugar-free substances are the simple solutions to avoid lengthy exposure of to sweets. The less amount of time that sugar spends with teeth, the better, because small pieces of non-almond chocolate break down quickly and reduces contact with teeth. Almond and peanut chocolates should be avoided as they require the individual to crunch the candy apart which makes the sugar penetrate deeper into teeth and consumes more time.
Avoid Getting Stuck On Hard and Chewy Candy
After returning from trick-or-treating, parents and children should separate the bad candy from the good. This will help avoid temptation of eating the cavity-makers. Dentists agree that hard and chewy candy should be avoided as much as possible, so the contents do not stick on teeth. Halloween candy that should be avoided includes:
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Hard candy (jawbreakers, lollipops and mints)
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Chewy candy (candy corn, gummies and dried fruit)
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Sticky candy (caramel, taffy and gum)
These treats may taste good for a short time, but their effects leave bad results in the long run. They take too long for the mouth to completely dissolve and expose the teeth to sugar longer than other candy. The longer that candy sticks around on teeth is the more likely it is to integrate with bacteria, which will then lead to acid production. The more acid that gets generated from candy is the more risk the individual has to develop cavities.
Serve Halloween Treats Not Tricks
According to Delta Dental, sticky and chewy candy results in long contact with teeth. The candy that gets stuck to the surface of teeth is increases the risk of sugar producing enamel eating acid. Thus far increasing the amount of trips to the dentist every year. The best solution to fight against plaque is to adopt healthy candy consumption habits, such as:
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Consume small candy portions
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Avoid eating hard candy or sticky and chewy candy
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Brush teeth or drink water after every candy serving
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Have children eat dinner before trick-or-treating
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Pass out sugar-free candy or miniature plain chocolates
This Halloween do not allow yourself or your kids to expose their teeth to the sticky and hard candy. Dried fruits can even get stuck to teeth causing sugar build up. Limit time to eat candy to avoid lengthy sugar exposure. This will help fight off the spooky cavities and extend the lifespan of dental work. Long after the costumes are put away, everyone in the household should make smarter and healthier choices with smile-friendly candy.
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