During this spooktacular time of year, your child might be fearful of frightening movies and gruesome costumes. However, what they should really be scared of is cavities after Halloween. After all, it’s estimated that the average American consumes more than 3.4 pounds of candy on October 31st – yikes! Since the copious amounts of sugar turn into enamel-eroding acid when they hit your child’s mouth, it’s not too surprising that cases of tooth decay shoot up this time of year. The good news is that you can help protect your favorite smile with the below list of the best and worst candies for teeth!
The “Best” Halloween Candy & Treats
While the below treats are by no means good for your child’s oral health, they are better than hard, sticky, and gooey alternatives that can cling to, chip, or fracture their teeth. So, when they do indulge, they should stick to:
- Chocolate bars (preferably dark, but milk works too)
- Three Musketeers
- Kit Kats
- Ice Cream
- Soft cookies
The “Worst” Halloween Candy & Treats
Your child’s tastebuds may love the following treats, but they pose a risk to their teeth and increase their chances of needing urgent treatment from their dentist. So, make sure they avoid (or exercise extreme caution with):
- Sticky and gummy goodies, like taffy
- Hard candies, like lollipops
- Sour treats, like sour straws
- Popcorn balls
- Peanut brittle
Must-Know Tips for Preventing Cavities After Halloween
Half the battle of preserving your child’s healthy smile is helping them pick the right candies to indulge in. The other half of the battle is implementing good oral hygiene best practices. To begin, they should be eating well-balanced, nutritious meals the majority of the time and staying away from sugary drinks, like soda. A solid dental care regimen is also important, which includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and avoiding unhealthy habits like chewing on ice. Lastly, if you haven’t already, you should schedule their second checkup and cleaning of 2021.
Avoiding candy around Halloween is virtually impossible, especially for your little one. Luckily, with the above information in mind, you can prevent their indulging from turning into cavities!
About the Practice
At Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, we want growing smiles to stay healthy now and for years to come. That’s why Dr. Eric Buck, Dr. Hannah Burton, and the rest of our phenomenal team go above and beyond to provide thorough, meticulous, and comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. If your child ate their fair share of candy this season and doesn’t have their second checkup and cleaning on the calendar yet, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at 614-792-1800.