Which Candy is Best for Your Teeth?
Cherrywood Dental • October 29, 2015
We do our best to eat healthy, but sometimes we deserve to indulge – and Halloween is a prime time for eating sweets and sugary treats. Fortunately, some candy is better for your smile than others. By adhering to a few tips and tricks, you and your kids can enjoy your Halloween hauls without worrying about cavities on the horizon.
Is there any candy that’s actually good for your teeth? One comes close – keep reading to find out what it might be!
Approaching Candy in a Tooth-Healthy Way
- Choose chocolate! – Chocolate is undoubtedly the best candy for your teeth (and the darker it is, the better). You’ve probably heard that dark chocolate’s antioxidants are good for your heart, but it has other biological benefits. There may actually be antibacterial properties to chocolate, meaning that it helps fight acid- and decay-causing bacteria in the mouth. Plus, chocolate melts quickly and easily while you’re eating it, so it doesn’t hang out where it shouldn’t belong.
- Avoid the stickier sweets – Candy like Starbursts, Jolly Ranchers, and taffy is bad news for teeth, and even worse news for dental work. These ultra-sticky treats tend to pull out fillings and restorations, and also become lodged between your teeth. Without good oral hygiene, the candy can remain there for days (this is especially common for kids). Hand out chocolates instead!
- Eat candy after a meal – When you eat a full meal, your mouth produces plenty of saliva. This acts as a cleansing, neutralizing rinse and offsets the effects of sugar. Encourage your kids to have their candy after lunch or dinner, instead of at moments throughout the day.
- Don’t let leftover candy stay in the house – There’s always a moment your kids reach where they’re no longer excited about their Halloween candy, but feel obligated to finish it because they have it on hand. Instead of allowing this extra candy to linger, find fun ways to reuse it or donate it to someone in need.