Does your child plan on devouring candy on Halloween night? Many people simply presume candy and sugar offend teeth equally. Certain candy contains some marked benefits, while others can exacerbate dental problems. Your Lake Orion
A Few Good Candies
If you thought chocolate was going to make the list of worst candy, you were mistaken. Actually, milk chocolate contains calcium, and literally melts in your mouth. As long as sufficient saliva flow is present to wash away chocolate residue, this luscious candy can be relatively easy on teeth.
Candy with the natural sweetener, xylitol, is also good for dental health. Xylitol aids in the removal of bacteria, and it’s known to reduce the risk for cavities. Sugar-free candy is also better for teeth than is sugar-based candy. Because obesity and diabetes are such a big issue in the US, you’ll find many sugar-free candies at your local grocery store and pharmacy.
Now, let’s look at the top three worst Halloween candies for teeth.
1. Sour Candy
Sour gummy worms could be one of the greatest inventions of all time, if they didn’t harm teeth. They are delicious, kids love them, and eating real worms isn’t near as much fun. However, the high acidity levels in sour candy can blast tooth enamel with an acid attack. Tooth enamel cannot be regenerated, so you need to take good care of what you’ve got!
Every effort should be made to avoid acids that de-mineralize tooth enamel. When sugars and starches combine with oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans, lactic acids is created, and it attacks tooth enamel by sapping minerals. This leaves enamel temporarily soft and vulnerable to decay. Over time, acid can actually destroy enamel, and we know this condition as acid erosion. Sports and energy drinks are notorious for acid erosion.
2. Lollipops
How many licks does it take to coat teeth with sugar? On average, people spend 15 to 20 minutes eating a lollipop. Unless that lollipop is of the xylitol variety, this prolonged exposure to sugar could increase the risk of cavities. Biting any hard candy can chip or fracture a tooth, as well, so the potential for damage by a lollipop is twofold!
3. Caramels, Chewy Candy
Sticky candy can cause the most issues with existing dental work. Many times, patients lose a filling while eating a Tootsie Roll or similarly chewy treat. Many Halloween dental concerns could be avoided by skipping the chewy stuff altogether.
Schedule a Halloween Visit
If you or your children plan on a candy-filled Halloween, then a visit to our 48360 dental office should be in your future. At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, we offer family dentistry, so we see kids and their parents — and their parents — and sometimes, even their parents. Contact us by calling (248) 693-6213 to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Lake Orion, Oxford, Rochester Hills, Clarkston, and the surrounding communities.
