Halloween is very nearly here, and for children, it’s a chance to stockpile candies, but all that sweet stuff can play some unwelcome tricks on teeth if you don’t take care. While kids may be excited to eat candy and chocolate, so are bacteria naturally present in your mouth.
These bacteria consume the sugary leftovers stuck around your teeth, producing a weak acid as a thank you. The acid removes some minerals from tooth enamel, weakening the enamel and making it more susceptible to cavities in Newcastle. Unfortunately, children are more prone to cavities than adults because their tooth enamel is thinner, but anyone can get tooth decay.
However, splurging on candy at Halloween shouldn’t make too much of a difference to your family’s dental health if it is a one-off, provided everyone cares for their teeth year-round by brushing at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and flossing every day. It’s also worth choosing candies wisely and discussing why certain choices are better than others with your kids. We’ve listed a selection of the most common candies, including which are best to choose and why.
Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most popular candies at Halloween, which is just as well because it’s one of the better sweet treats for teeth. This is because chocolate melts quickly, so it is more easily washed away before it can harm teeth. Dark chocolate is better for teeth because it is lower in sugar but doesn’t appeal to everyone.
Gummy Bears and Sticky Candies
If a candy is sticky, it’s bad for your teeth because it is harder to remove and tends to linger for longer, giving harmful bacteria more time to get to work on the leftovers.
Hard Candies
Hard candies are also best avoided because they can crack or chip your teeth in Clarington if you bite down too hard. These types of sweets tend to last longer, so sugar is continually washing over teeth, increasing the risk of cavities.
Sour Candies
Many people love a pucker-inducing sour candy, but these can be very acidic. Anything naturally acidic will weaken tooth enamel, and the damage is worsened because these candies also contain sugar.
Popcorn
Popcorn may seem like a harmless treat for Halloween, but the kernels can become stuck uncomfortably between teeth, and popcorn can be very sweet and sticky. Additionally, biting down on an unpopped kernel can damage teeth.
Have a Plan for Halloween
If you have kids, it is inevitable they will eat candies on Halloween but have a plan for dealing with the leftovers. Get your family to pick out their favourites and donate the rest or share with others. Ideally, encourage your kids to enjoy their sweet treats as part of a main meal when the damage to their teeth is reduced because they are already producing more saliva to help wash away sugary leftovers. Additionally, make sure they drink plenty of water, and it’s a great idea to swish with water afterwards to remove some sugary residue. Wait half an hour before getting your child to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly, as this allows acidity levels to normalize and tooth enamel to re-harden slightly.
Visit Us Regularly
West Bowmanville Family Dental is a family-oriented dental practice in Courtice, and we welcome kids. Make sure your child visits us regularly, and if they are due a visit, then it’s a great time to schedule a checkup and clean. Our entire dental team goes out of their way to ensure visits are never scary and instead are fun, enjoyable and gently educational.