A Children’s Dentist in Ridgefield Explains Different Halloween Candies

With Halloween right around the corner, you and your kids are sure to see some spooky sights while trick-or-treating. Along with the ghouls and goblins you may see, your children will also be collecting delicious Halloween treats. Did you know some of these candies are better for their teeth than others? Learn about the different types of candy and how they can affect your kid’s teeth from a children’s dentist in Ridgefield. That way, you and your family can still eat treats without worrying about spooky cavities.

Is All Candy Bad?

The truth is, sugar in candy is a leading cause of cavities. Sugar leftover in your mouth from eating candy will turn into acid, which eats away at your enamel. But, Halloween is all about candy! It’s okay to indulge, as long as you know what you’re getting into. Let’s take a look at the different kinds of sweets and how they can affect your family’s teeth.

Chocolate

Chocolate is the best kind of candy for your teeth, and it’s a good thing too because it’s also one of the most popular treats on Halloween. This rich and creamy treat is better for your smile than other candy because it washes away from your teeth easier than other sweets.

Sticky and Gummy Candy

A good rule is to be picky if it’s sticky. Sticky and gummy sweets are the worst for your teeth because they are harder to remove from your smile. The longer the sugar stays in contact with your teeth, the more likely it is to produce bacteria.

Sour Candy

Any candy that makes you pucker or gives you a sour taste in your mouth is probably very acidic. As mentioned above, acid is a leading cause of tooth decay. It weakens the hard, protective outer-shell of your teeth called enamel, leaving your smile more susceptible to cavities.

Hard Candy

Hard candy should be watched out for, especially on Halloween. Hard candy can break your teeth if you’re not careful, and it stays in your mouth for longer periods of time. This allows the sugar from the treat to get in your saliva, which then washes all over your teeth, coating your smile in sugar.

Popcorn Balls

If you and your kids like eating popcorn or popcorn balls, keep some floss nearby because the kernels can get stuck in your teeth easily. Especially be careful of eating caramel popcorn because it can be sticky, hard, and get caught in your teeth—combining some of the factors of the other candies above.

This Halloween, encourage your children to eat chocolate rather than some of the other hard, sticky, or sour options. Be sure to see your dentist in Ridgefield after the holiday to make sure you and your children are cavity-free!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Dana C. Jones believes in patient education, which is why he wants you to know some of the candies to watch out for this Halloween. He enjoys providing care to patients of all ages, and loves watching your children and their smiles grow. He currently practices at Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center, and can be contacted through his website or by phone at (203) 438-8919 for any questions.