Calling All Ghosts and Goblins!!

Halloween is around the corner and we all know what that brings…CANDY, CANDY, and MORE CANDY!! No need to stress about cavities if you make sure to eat those yummy treats in moderation and to maintain GREAT oral hygiene twice daily! Below are the spooky candies to avoid and the sweet treats to enjoy according to the American Dental Association. Take a minute to read about them and see why certain spooky treats are spooky for your teeth!

Chocolate

Chocolate is probably your best bet, which is good because it’s also one of the most popular kinds of candy handed out on Halloween! Chocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth easier than other types of candy. Dark chocolate also has less sugar than milk chocolate. So, enjoy those Hersey bars!
 

Sticky and Gummy Candies

Be picky if it’s sticky. These are some of the worst candies for your teeth. This candy is harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth, which gives that cavity-causing bacteria more time to break down your tooth structure and cause decay.

Hard Candy

Hard candies are also ones to watch on Halloween. They can break your teeth while you're chomping away on them! You also tend to keep these kinds of candies in your mouth for longer periods of time, so the sugar is sitting and coating your teeth.
 

Sour Candy

You might want to pass on things that make you pucker – especially if they are sticky and coated in sugar. Sour candy is very acidic which in turn, can weaken and damage the hard outer shell of your teeth, making your teeth more vulnerable to cavities.
 

Popcorn Balls

Have some floss handy if you’re enjoying one of these fall favorites. Kernels can get stuck in-between your teeth and cause some pain and swelling. They are also sticky and sugary, so be sure to brush after!
 

Happy Halloween from Colorado Children’s Dental Center!