“Halloween dental health” sounds like a contradiction, but it’s achievable! As dentists, we also give out Halloween treats, but we pick the best ones for your teeth!
The Worst Treats
Hard candy – lollipops, toffees, jawbreakers, anything you have to lick and suck and keep in your mouth for a long time is bad. Hard candy is pure sugar– and pure tooth decay, too.
Gummies, licorice and sticky candy – For the same reason as hard candy, but worse, gummies and sticky candy stick to your teeth!
Caramels – This is sugar, of course, and it sticks to teeth. Either hard or chewy, caramels are the worst.
Sour candy – As if the sugar wasn’t bad enough, sour candies also have citric acid, and it’s very acidic. Demineralization of enamel can begin at a pH of 5.5. Many sour candies have a pH of less than 2.5!
Citrus candies – These are either jellied natural candies or artificially flavored. No matter which, it’s still sugar and acid.
The Best Treats
Sugar-free candy and gum – ADA approved sugar-free candy and gum can even help against tooth decay with xylitol, a natural, cavity-fighting sweetener.
Granola bars and trail mix – Healthy options have coconut, almonds, yogurt nibs and dark chocolate chips are all good stuff. Make sure the bars aren’t too sticky or chewy.
Chocolate – Yum! Chocolate is great because it melts right off and washes off the teeth easily. Dark chocolate also has less sugar and milk content. Make sure your chocolate bars are just chocolate, not mixed with caramel and toffee!
Swish with water. This cuts down the acid in your mouth while you eat sweets.
Eat your treats as dessert with a meal. Saliva flow during and after a meal also works in washing away cavity-causing acids and bacteria.
Brush at least 30 minutes after the last chocolate, to avoid brushing all that sugar acid against your teeth enamel.
Consider visiting us for dental sealants to protect your kids’ teeth from the deluge of sweets – they’re 50% OFF in October.
Happy Halloween!
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
