With Halloween just around the corner, it can be easy to get lost in bags of candy bars, suckers, and toffee. And while we all know that sugar from candy can cause cavities, did you know that there are many other concerns you should be worried about? Knowing your oral health and what candies can hurt your kids more than others will help keep post-candy binges free of dental visits. And if you or your kids are looking forward to all the candy, then it might be a good idea to schedule a dental cleaning and check up soon after Halloween!
The Top 4 Halloween Candies to Avoid
- Jolly Ranchers
These colorful rectangles of sugary sweetness can really wreck your oral health if precautions are not taken. Biting and chewing these hard candies can crack or chip teeth as well as get the sticky sugar trapped between the cusps of teeth. Eating too many of these can lead to cavities or the need for dental crowns to fix chipped teeth. - Starburst
These chewy candies are the worst nightmare for fillings and braces. The sticky, chewy nature can lead to fillings being pulled right out or brackets being broken and popped off. Avoid these candies if you wear braces and if you know you have a filling, consider chewing Starburst on the opposite side of your mouth. - Sour Patch Kids
Sour and sweet on the taste buds, but mostly sour on your oral health. These candies are coated in sugar which can easily cause cavities, but they also produce a lot of acid in the mouth while eating. If you don’t clean your teeth after eating them, the acid can eat away at the enamel of the teeth. - Popcorn Balls
While arguably the healthiest option from our list, popcorn balls can still cause problems when kernels get stuck between teeth or are bitten into. These kernels can lodge themselves between teeth making it difficult to remove or cause teeth to chip and crack if accidentally bitten into. Be careful to chew around popcorn kernels whenever eating this snack!
Make a Smart Choice When Buying Candy for Kids
If you are in charge of buying Halloween candy for next month’s big holiday, consider avoiding these four candy favorites. You’ll be doing the neighborhood kids, and their parents, a big favor. If you’re looking to still be the house on the block that has good candy, consider simple chocolate bars. Not only are they a favorite for kids, but the chocolate is easy to rinse off and remove from teeth after eating. Additionally, chocolate is not nearly as sticky, meaning fillings or braces can still stay intact.
Make an Appointment
Get your oral health and that of your kids evaluated before the big candy craze! Reach out to your local dentists, Dr. Robert W. Leedy, Dr. Nikki P. Green, Dr. Sara Chen, Dr. Albert Park, and Dr. Jaci Campo, in our office in Abilene, Texas to schedule your first appointment with us today!
