We’re just a few days away from Halloween, and that means candy is bound to be coming your way. While it’s a great excuse to indulge in some treats, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re eating and what damage you could be doing to your teeth.
That’s where we can help. We’ve done our research and found the best and worst candy for your teeth. Here are some things to keep in mind for October 31st!
Best
- Sugar-free candy and gum. There is no sugar for the bacteria in the mouth to feed on and produce decay-causing acids. Plus, they don’t leave a sticky residue on teeth.
- (Some) Chocolate. Plain milk chocolate isn’t that bad for your teeth. It generally as it dissolves quickly, so the sugar doesn’t linger for long on the teeth. If you feel like being extra cautious, dark chocolate doesn’t have as much sugar as milk chocolate.
Worst
- Hard Candy. Candies such as lollipops or jolly ranchers dissolve over time. The more time these foods spend in your mouth, the more acidic it becomes.
- Sticky Candy. The American Dental Association encourages you to “be picky if it’s sticky.” The harder a food is to get off of teeth, the longer cavity-causing bacteria has to work. Avoid candies such as caramels, taffy or nuts.
- Sour Candy. Sour candy is best avoided due to the multitude of acids they contain that can be tough on your teeth. Many sour candies are also chewy which, like sticky candies, can make your teeth more susceptible to decay.
After eating your Halloween candies, be sure to follow-up with proper oral hygiene habits.
VBA dental plans are administered and underwritten by TruAssure and are offered in association with the DenteMax Plus dental network arrangement, which includes participating dentists from the United Concordia, DenteMax and Connection dental networks in all states but North Carolina, where the DenteMax Plus network arrangement includes DenteMax and Connection dental networks.