Like Halloween treats? If you do, chances are good that you’ll be encountering a plethora of candy this Halloween season.
Before this season’s jack-o’-lantern gets tossed, more than 160 million Americans will have bought over 600 million pounds of candy. And if you have kids brace yourself for the sugar high. 1 study says that kids will eat about 3 cups of sugar from their candy during Halloween.
Ok, let’s be real. Halloween too fun. and the treats are too tasty to fight. One way or another, the treats are coming. But you can at least be aware of which treats are the scariest for your teeth.
When it comes to Halloween candies, some will cause more harm and mayhem to your teeth than others.
These 3 Halloween Treats Will Give Your Teeth a Fright!
- Sticky Treats – The stickier the candy, the higher the risk of tooth decay. Sticky Candies like gummy bears, Tootsie rolls, Snickers and Skittles take more time to chew and can also stick to, and between, your teeth. The longer candy stays in your mouth, before it’s washed away by saliva, the easier it is for the candy’s bacteria causing sugars to cause tooth decay and cavities. Sticky candies can also wreak havoc on your fillings and crowns.
- Sour Treats – There are sour candies, like Sour Patch Kids, that are so acidic they can actually dissolve tooth enamel directly on contact! This not only can weaken teeth, making them more susceptible to breaks, but also more prone to getting cavities.
- Hard Candies – Dum Dums, Blow Pops & Jolly Ranchers, oh my! Hard candies offer a double whammy. Not only will they stay in your mouth for a longer period of time, so the sugars can linger, creating more cavity causing bacteria to build up in your mouth. But these candies can also crack, or break, your sweet tooth.
By the way, curious to know which Halloween treats are packed with the most sugar? Glad you asked. 1. Nerds 2. Sour Patch Kids 3. Swedish Fish 4. Candy Corn 5. Skittles.
Is there a Better Halloween Treat?
Ok, so you can’t hand out apples. But when it comes to Halloween treats that cause less damage to your oral health it’s chocolate. It’s not as sticky, unless it’s full of caramel, and it will dissolve faster in your mouth. Because it offers cavity fighting antioxidants, Dark chocolate is the best treat, but most kids won’t touch it.
Halloween is a time of year that brings out the inner kid in all of us. And it’s the time of year when it’s going to be practically impossible for most of us to stay away from all the tempting, delicious treats. So, rather than forgoing the sweets, maybe try eating candy in moderation, follow some tips, and be mindful to stay on top of your dental hygiene routine – floss & brush. Happy Halloween!
P.S. During the Halloween season, or after, if a tooth cracks, or a dental crown comes off, or you just want a post-Halloween teeth whitening, please reach out to us! Your friendly Burien dentist is always here for you! Just give us a call at (206) 242-0066 to make an appointment or reach out to us online!
