Ghosts, goblins, ghouls and gum disease — all things you should be on the look out for this Halloween.
Your kids are most likely thrilled to hit the town this Halloween in their best costume and gather up as many sweets as possible. We also know you’re probably a little excited too — don’t worry, we won’t mention those treats you snagged from your kids’ bags when they weren’t looking.
While Halloween candy is often referenced as something that wreaks havoc on teeth, do you know the types in particular that are especially bad for your oral health? Check out the list below and make sure to keep an eye out for them in your trick or treaters’ bags.
- Chewy candies: Bacteria in the mouth burn candy as you eat it, creating an acid byproduct. That acid then dissolves tooth enamel, which leads to cavities. Chewy and sticky candies like taffy and gummies are capable of sticking (pardon the pun) around long after you stop chewing, which can lead to teeth damage.
- Hard candies: Suckers and lollipops, because they are meant to be eaten slower than other types of candy, create more acid than can be broken down by the mouth in a timely fashion. This creates the opportunity for cavities.
- Caramels: Caramels are another sticky offender, and they can get caught especially between braces.
- Sour/citrus candies: Sour candies have both sugar and acid, making them a double whammy in regards to their cavity-causing potential.
- Jawbreakers: This one is fairly straightforward — it can literally do what it is named after, or at least damage teeth. They also have a ton of sugar, like the above candies.
Now that you know which candies to watch out for, make sure you and your kids’ routine post-candy eating is consistent. Try to minimize how much candy you eat until you know you will be able to brush and floss, or at least be able to rinse your mouth out with water. Happy Halloween!