The secret is out: candy can cause cavities. Like most people, you’ve known this your whole life, but you may not realize that some are better than others. Since Halloween is just weeks away, you may be preparing for your child to bring home a pillowcase full of treats, but which ones put them at greater risk of cavities? Before you let them dig in, learn the truth behind these individually wrapped sweets.
How Does Sugar Affect Your Child’s Teeth?
Most candy contains processed sugar, which feeds harmful bacteria that multiply and cause cavities. This growth produces acids in your child’s mouth that begin to break down their enamel. This process, called demineralization, causes mineral loss. Fortunately, their saliva can fight back! It not only neutralizes acids but also reverses enamel damage, but it takes time.
Keeping your child’s mouth free of harmful acids allows remineralization to occur, better protecting their teeth from cavities. How do you do this? By monitoring the foods they eat, especially candy!
What Are the Best & Worst Halloween Candies?
As soon as your child pours out their bucket of goodies, that is your cue to start looking through their loot. Don’t know which ones to keep and throw out? Keep these in mind as you sort through their stash of Halloween candy:
- Avoid sticky candies, including taffy, caramels, fruit chews, and gummies. These stick to teeth, making it easier for bacteria to feed on the sugars and increasing the risk of cavities. Not to mention, they’re hard to remove while brushing!
- Avoid hard candies that can damage their precious smile and prolong their exposure to sugar.
- Avoid sour candies that are both sugary and acidic. This is a big problem because bacteria and acids weaken and demineralize their teeth.
- Allow sugar-free gum because it helps produce saliva. The more your child chews, the more their salivary glands wash away sugary particles that feed cavity-causing bacteria.
- Allow chocolate! This may surprise you, but some varieties are better than others. For example, dark chocolate contains less sugar than milk chocolate. It’s also a lot easier to remove when brushing than any other type of candy.
- Allow sugar-free candy, like lollipops, especially if they contain xylitol. It’s a sugar substitute that is less likely to put your child’s teeth at risk of cavities.
If you plan to hand out candy this year, consider non-food treats, like stickers, pencils, or small toys.
Halloween can be a fun time for your child to dress up and go door to door with friends and family. Just remember to keep their smile safe from cavities by choosing which treats they get to keep.
About the Practice
Led by trusted experts who regularly pursue continuing education and deliver superior care, Williamsburg Dental remains a practice you can feel comfortable bringing your family to. We provide age-appropriate services to young patients to keep their smiles healthy as the years go by. If it has been more than six months since your child’s last dental appointment, visit our website to schedule a consultation.