With Halloween just around the corner, it’s about time to start stocking up on candy for neighborhood ghouls and ghosts. When October 31st comes around, you don’t want to be that one place on the block without anything sweet to give.

With the number of childhood cavities on the rise, however, we all need to be careful that we’re teaching our kids to make smart choices about what they eat. Gorging on candy for one night might be alright, but it shouldn’t become a habit.

Moreover, some candy choices are smarter than others. Below is an adapted version of the Academy of General Dentistry’s guide to the best and worst Halloween candies.

Worst

• Chewy/Sticky Sweets – Gummies, taffy and even dried fruit can get stuck in the crevices between teeth and become almost impossible to remove.
• Sour Candies – Sour Patch Kids, Sour Straws and Sour Skittles are highly acidic and can break down tooth enamel quickly. Eat only in moderation and wait at least thirty minutes afterwards to brush.
• Super Sugary Treats – Candy corn, cookies, cake, candy bars, etc. all contain high amounts of sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Best

• Sugar-free lollipops, candies and gums – Candies without sugar actually help the mouth produce saliva, which can be beneficial in preventing cavities. Moreover, sugar-free gums can also help dislodge food particles from spaces between teeth.
• Dark Chocolate – True dark chocolates have been shown to lower blood pressure and even prevent heart disease.

We hope everyone has a safe and cavity-free Halloween this year. For more information on making smart food choices and other dental health concerns, contact Greenspoint Dental today.