With Halloween just around the corner, it’s about time to start stocking up on candy for neighborhood ghouls and ghosts. When October 31st rolls around most kids are ready to start knocking on doors in anticipation for sweets and goodies. However, it is important to make sure children still understand how important it is to be mindful of what they eat. Gorging on candy for one night might be okay, but this can lead to bad practices. If you want to limit your child’s candy intake, do it from a dentist’s perspective. Here are 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 teeth so they do not become abrasive.

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 when preventing cavities. Sugar-free gums can also help dislodge food particles from spaces between teeth due to their sticky nature.

Dark Chocolate: While rare on Halloween, true dark chocolates have been shown to lower blood pressure and even prevent heart disease.

To learn more about having a safe and cavity-free Halloween, contact Greenspoint Dental today so we can work to make this holiday healthy and happy!