October is the month that can make dentists cringe. Why? Halloween! Trick or Treating to gather bagfuls of candy is a tradition in many households. What may happen after Halloween is over? Trips to the dentist with dental problems caused by these sweet treats. Let’s take a deeper look at why candy can be bad for your teeth.

Why is candy bad for your teeth:

Candy can cause tooth decay or cavities. This happens indirectly. The bacteria in the mouth feeds off the sugar, and the bacteria creates an acid that can destroy tooth enamel. Once a tooth loses its enamel, cavities can start to form. After eating these sweets, it is essential to brush and floss your teeth.

What candy is the worst for your teeth:

Sticky candy: sticky treats are the worst for a person’s teeth. This type is challenging to remove, which means it can last longer on the teeth with an increased chance of decay.

Hard candy: this type can lead to more sugar exposure than a regular piece of candy. Hard candies can also chip or break a tooth if bitten down on them too hard. 

Sour candies: this can be particularly harmful to your teeth because it can be both very acidic and coated in sugar.

Best candy for your teeth:

Let’s talk about treats that are less damaging to your teeth. Chocolate is one kind most of us love to eat. Chocolate washes away easily when brushing, so it does not linger on the teeth causing cavities like another candies can. If given the option, it is best to eat dark chocolate since it contains less sugar.

Another candy recommended is sugar-free. One advantage is that these hard candies stimulate saliva production, which washes away the plaque and bacteria that can cause tooth decay.

Did you know that there is an advantage to eating candy with nuts? The nuts can help break up the stickiness of the candy, decreasing the risk of cavities forming. Plus, the crunch from the nuts can help break up some of the accumulated plaque on the teeth.

Just a reminder:

Halloween is a fun day for kids and adults, especially the candy part. Let your children eat the sweets they worked hard to collect, but have them eat it in moderation moving forward. Another reminder is to make sure you and your children brush and floss their teeth before going to bed.

If you don’t want to keep all of the Halloween treats in your house, Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry is sponsoring a candy buy-back program from November 1st through the 4th. We will pay you back $1 per pound of candy that you bring in. All the treats collected will be given to Operation Gratitude and donated to local law enforcement and veterans.

Follow these tips to ensure that you and your child’s teeth stay healthy. Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry recommends that you take time to visit the dentist at least every six months. You can schedule a visit on our website via our contact form or give us a call at 615-595-6111. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you obtain optimal oral health.