The Best and Worst Candy Choices for Your Teeth

Halloween is upon us and that means candy, candy, and more candy! Kids everywhere are looking forward to dressing up and going door-to-door to collect their favorite treats. However, ask any dentist what they think of this candy-laden holiday and you'll likely get an answer that's sure to disappoint most kids and a few parents, too. Sugar is bad for your teeth. That's because the bacteria that bonds together to form plaque thrives on sugar as its energy source. The more sugar you eat, the more plaque you'll have in your mouth. With Halloween fast approaching, kids are sure to eat more candy and produce more plaque, which leads to more cavities and tooth decay.Sugar and candy is okay in small doses. In addition, certain types of candy are better for your teeth than others are. Having said that, let's take a look at some of the best and worst candy choices for teeth.The Worst CandyWhile candy of any sort usually contains tooth decaying sugar, certain types of candy are worse for your teeth than others are.· Sticky/chewy candy - Gum, taffy, Milk Duds and the like are harmful for teeth because they tend to get stuck in between teeth where saliva can't wash it away. Sticky candies can do serious damage to your gums and teeth if it's left to linger for too long.· Hard candy - Most people probably already know the harmful effect hard candy can have on teeth. High in sugar content, these types of candy can cause chipping and breaking, and long-lasting candies such as suckers and jawbreakers coat the mouth in a layer of sugar for several minutes at a time, which can increase tooth decay.


· Sour candy - Sour candies pack quite a punch when it comes to how they affect the teeth. Sour Skittles, Sour Patch Kids and the like all contain high levels of acid that break down tooth enamel and leave teeth vulnerable. As if this isn't bad enough, if you brush your teeth immediately after consuming sour candies, you're setting yourself up for even further tooth damage as any acid left inside the mouth gets brushed around to attack even more teeth.The Best CandyBelieve it or not, there are some candies to consume that won't be a cause of tooth damage.· Sugar-free gums - Typically made with natural sugars that don't contribute to tooth decay, sugar-free gum leaves no sticky residue.· Chocolate - Chocolate has no sticky residue that can linger on teeth. It washes away quickly - as long as it doesn't contain a sticky center.· Powdered candy - Powdery candy dissolves fast and won't stick to teeth.Now, we're not saying you should skip Halloween altogether. How fun would that be? What we're saying here is be mindful of the types of candy your children are eating and place a limit on the types that are most harmful to their teeth. Contact your family dentist for more information.