Halloween Candy

When you think of October you probably think of the leaves changing, hot chocolate, and Halloween. Well, it is also National Oral Hygiene Month!

Since we understand how hard it would be ask you all to forego your Halloween loot this year,  we have compiled a list of popular candies yo let you know

which candies are better for teeth and which to avoid. After all, us Dentists do indulge in some sweet treats ourselves from time to time. (Shhh)

Chewy, sticky candies on of the worst offenders when it comes to causing cavities and damage. The chewy candy can get stuck deep in your teeth and braces,

and they cause significant damage to your teeth. If you have braces, these candies should be avoided at all costs.

Popular chewy candies to avoid include:

Skittles

Taffy

Caramel

Starburst

Bubble Gum

Tootsie Rolls

Hard candies can be better as long as you do not bite down or chew on them. Chewing on them can cause the hard sugars to get stuck in your teeth. Also, for many younger children, the temptation to bite can be too great, so these should be avoided in that case.

Hard candies can also cause stains to your teeth if you suck on them too often. As a general rule, candies that stain your tongue can also cause stain your teeth.

Some popular hard candies that fall into this category:

Suckers

Jolly Ranchers

Gobstoppers/Jawbreakers

Strawberry Hard Candies

Soft chocolate candies are the best option for treating your teeth right this Halloween. The more it melts in your mouth, the less likely it is to get stuck and cause more damage.

Luckily, chocolate is one of the most popular Halloween candies, so you won’t be missing out on too much!

Some popular soft chocolates include:

Reese’s Cups

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate

Kit Kat

Three Musketeers

M&M’s fall into this category if you let them melt in your mouth rather than bite into them right away.

Always use discretion when eating any candy this Halloween, and remember to indulge in moderation. Remember, youou should always brush your teeth after eating your candy.

Dr. Scott Ervin and his staff wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!