Now is a great time to carefully think about what type of candy you are consuming. After all, with Halloween right around the corner, it will seem like candy is everywhere just waiting to be eaten. Unfortunately, some candies – especially those commonly given during Halloween – can cause numerous dental problems such as cavities, broken or fractured teeth, gingivitis, sudden toothaches, and extremely sensitive teeth.
If you want to preserve your smile, it is best that you avoid the following types of candies.
Be Super Picky About Sticky Candy
Sticky candy, such as taffy, caramels, and any types of gummy candies, can increase your chances of developing cavities and oral health problems.
Your chances of experiencing oral health problems increase because the candy is sticky. The candy is often so sticky that it is extremely difficult to remove—even if you brush and floss. If the candy is not promptly removed from the teeth, it remains there and attracts bacteria that causes cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Just Say No to Hard Candy
Hard candies, like Jolly Ranchers, Peppermints, Cinnamon Discs, and Butterscotch are deceiving. They don’t look like they could cause a lot of damage to your teeth, but they can.
The hard texture of the candy can cause severe damage to your teeth. If you get tired of sucking on a hard candy and decide to crunch it up by biting down on it, you could crack or chip a tooth or cause damage to previous dental work, such as fillings, dental bridges, or dental crowns.
Hard candies can also increase your chances of experiencing gum disease and tooth decay. These candies are designed to slowly dissolve in your mouth. While that means a single piece of candy lasts longer, it also means that candy is in your mouth longer. The longer the candy is in your mouth, the more contact your teeth have with sugars that attract cavity-causing bacteria.
Pass on the Sour Candies
No only do sour candies like Sour Patch Kids or sour-flavored jawbreakers have the same problems as hard candies or sticky candies, but they present another issue: acid. Sour candies are extremely acidic. That acid can quickly attack your teeth and cause damage that leads to cavities.
The Best Candy to Consume
It may seem like almost all types of candies should be avoided, but there are some candies you can still enjoy if you have a craving for sweets. Some of the best candies to consume include:
- Chocolates such as Hershey’s, Ghirardelli, or Godiva – dark chocolate is the best, but milk chocolate is also good, too. It is best to consume solid chocolate bars that don’t contain caramel or nuts.
- Sugar-free candies such as hard candies or lollipops – you will still have to be careful about biting into these types of candies and causing damage to your teeth. However, the sugar-free nature of the candy makes it less likely that you will develop a cavity.
- Sugar-free gum such as Trident, Extra, or Orbit – consuming sugar-free gum can actually help improve your oral health as it keeps your mouth clean by stimulating saliva production
Always Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Regardless of whether you eat the good candies or bad candies, it is important that you practice good dental hygiene. Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and flossing daily will help remove plaque and cavity-causing bacteria from your mouth.
In addition to practicing good dental hygiene, it is important that you schedule regular visits with your dentist. Regular office visits, which occur every four to six months, allow you to get a professional cleaning that helps you keep your teeth and gums clean. These regular office visits will also help to detect dental problems that need to be treated, such as gum disease or cavities, before they cause too much damage.
Is it time to schedule an appointment for a dental exam and professional cleaning? Call Cedar Walk Dentistry to schedule an appointment. Our friendly dentists and dental staff will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy by conducting a complete dental exam and professionally cleaning your teeth.
FAQs
Sticky or chewy candy is top of the list for candy to avoid. This is because the chewier and stickier a candy is, the more likely that it will leave a sugary residue in the crevices of your teeth or between your teeth.
What candy does not cause cavities? ›
Chocolate: Chocolate is by far the best candy for teeth. This is a good thing since it is the most popular candy and is found in many holiday desserts. Chocolate easily washes off the teeth, meaning it doesn't stick around to cause cavities or other types of tooth damage.
What candy can break your teeth? ›
Try as you might resist, it's likely that you're going to bite down at some point when you eat hard candy. Jolly ranchers, peppermints, and lifesavers are all hard enough to crack a tooth or break a crown. And splinters from a shattered hard candy could get stuck between your teeth or scratch up your gums.
Is chewing lollipops bad for your teeth? ›
We've amassed a list of some foods you can watch out for when developing menus helpful to your dental health. Read on below to find out additional: Lollipops or hard candy. Because lollipops are practically purely sugar (and a bunch of it), they help make bacterial acids in your mouth that can break down teeth.
Are M&Ms bad for teeth? ›
Chocolate options that are okay for teeth include Kit Kats, Nestle's Crunch, Hershey's Chocolate, M&Ms, Smarties and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. These chocolate bars are less “sticky” than Twix, Snickers, Milk Way, and other treats that will stick to teeth and make it difficult to remove all sugar residues.
What is the healthiest hard candy? ›
If you prefer hard candy over chewy, grab a bag of Dr. John's hard candy. These sugar-free candies are tooth-friendly and a great choice for those with diabetes (as are these chocolate recipes you won't believe are diabetic-friendly). These candies are also allergy-friendly, so everyone can enjoy them.
What candy is good for you? ›
What is the healthiest common candy? Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more) is often considered one of the healthiest options. It contains less sugar and is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which may have heart-healthy benefits.
What are teeth friendly sweets? ›
9 Sweets You Can Enjoy When Done Responsibly
- Sugar-free Candy. When it comes to dental health, sugar is the enemy. ...
- Sugar-free Gum. Sugar-free gums are a super healthy alternative to conventional candies. ...
- Dark Chocolate. ...
- Fresh Fruits. ...
- Dried Fruits. ...
- Chocolate-Dipped Fruits. ...
- Dipped Nuts. ...
- Vitamin Gummies.
Sour candies – Sweet Tarts, Sour Patch Kids, Nerds, Skittles and other sour candies are highly acidic. As a result, they are more likely to damage your tooth enamel (the protective surface layer of your tooth). Ultimately, this will increase the risk of tooth decay.
Are starburst bad for your teeth? ›
Any type of sticky candy from AirHeads, to Starburst, to Now-n-Laters, will stay on the teeth longer, which lets bacteria thrive on the sugar and cause tooth decay. even dried fruit can cause problems.
2. Jolly Ranchers. One Jolly Rancher contains 7 grams of sugar and 40 calories, making these candies a close second to Smarties in the healthiest Halloween candy game. But remember, that's just one Rancher, so if you grab a handful, you'll need to multiply these numbers.
What is the most unhealthy candy for your teeth? ›
Sour candy is harmful for two reasons: it is coated in sugar, and it is very acidic. The damaging sugar fosters cavity-causing bacteria growth. High acidity can be very damaging to your teeth as well as acids break down tooth enamel, leaving teeth more prone to tooth decay and breakage.
Are twizzlers bad for your teeth? ›
Chewy Candies: Caramel, toffee, Twizzlers, fudge, and other chewy treats might hit your sweet spot – and then stay there for some time. Since these candies stick to your teeth, they have the staying power that provides bacteria with ample opportunity to consume the sugar, producing acids.
Are marshmallows bad for your teeth? ›
Chewy candy tends to get stuck in those pits and grooves for long periods of time, fueling bacteria growth and allowing it to do immense damage to the dental enamel. Included under bad, chew candies is bubble gum, gummies, marshmallows, and other common squishy treats.
Which sugar is worst for teeth? ›
However, dental professionals will tell you that all sugars can contribute to tooth decay, and it's important to be aware that 'natural' sugars should also be eaten in moderation. Simply put, there is no such thing as sugar that's good for your teeth.
What is the most harmful thing for your teeth? ›
Top 9 Foods That Damage Your Teeth
- Ice is for chilling, not chewing. ...
- Watch your citrus intake. ...
- Not all coffee is good for you. ...
- Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare. ...
- Beware of things that go "crunch" ...
- Swap out soda with water. ...
- Limit alcohol consumption. ...
- Watch out for sports drinks.
Hard Candy is a Direct Threat to Your Teeth
Most importantly, hard candy will stain your teeth. If you are insistent on enjoying one or several pieces of hard candy, choose a variety that is beige, white or a light yellow in hue so it does not compromise your pearly whites.
Do Skittles hurt your teeth? ›
Unfortunately, Skittles have a pH level of 2.5, which can cause serious damage to your enamel.
