Halloween is right around the corner! While your little ghosts and goblins are out trick or treating, you may start to get more and more concerned as the candy piles up. Sugar is bad for our teeth because it feeds harmful bacteria that can erode enamel and lead to tooth decay. When you’re sorting through the Halloween treats, here’s what you should know!

Types of Candy and How They Affect Your Teeth

Hard Candy: These candies, albeit delicious, can be super harmful to anyone who indulges. Not only are they hard enough to chip or break teeth if chewed, they typically stay in your mouth for longer. If you’re sucking on hard candy, it takes a while to melt away in your mouth! This prolongs the sugar exposure and can cause a sugary buildup that gets stuck to your teeth.

Sour Candy: Not only are sour candies full of sugar, but they’re also acidic. Be sure to brush afterward!

Gummies: Gummy candy is by far the worst for your teeth. Out of all the candy, gummies stick to your teeth for the longest. This gives bacteria a longer window to attack your enamel.

Chocolate: Believe it or not, chocolate candy is the least harmful to your smile! It melts away from your teeth the fastest and brushes off the easiest. Remember – the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it has!

Even though candy isn’t the best for your children’s dental health, once in a while doesn’t hurt! Let them enjoy their treats, just monitor their intake. As always, make sure they thoroughly brush when they’re done!

From the team at BRAIDC, happy Halloween!