You’ve just come home from a night of trick-or-treating. Dinner needs to be done, but there’s also the matter of sorting out all the candy for the kids. What are you going to do? It could be tempting to simply let them have at it. However, if you want to encourage their continued dental hygiene, you’ll need to sort it all out.
If you need a quick and easy guide to the best and worst offenders for Halloween candy on the sugar list, continue reading. Each candy has been listed and graded depending on its healthiness for teeth.
1. Jolly Ranchers – Grade: F
The worst kinds of candy for teeth are hard, sticky, and take a while to dissolve. Unfortunately, this describes Jolly Ranchers to a tee – Or in this case, an “F.” Prolonged sugar exposure is one of the main factors of cavity development.
Combine that with the potential for chipping or cracking teeth if your child bites down and you can see how this one earned its grade.
2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Grade: B
Peanut butter cups have been a favorite for ages, and the good news is, they’re decent for tooth health. Peanut butter provides protein and magnesium for tooth health, but not enough to offset the sugar that creates acidity when it comes in contact with plaque.
Still, it’s soft and dissolves with water or saliva, making it one of the better choices on this list.
3. Sour Path Kids – Grade: D
Sour candies use a chemical called citric acid to give them that tangy sweet and sour taste. This, combined with the gummy nature of these candies that stick to teeth, makes them a poor choice.
4. Hershey’s Special Dark – Grade: A
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is one of the better treats that you can give your children guilt-free. Multiple studies from Japan, England, and the US published in the National Library of Medicine have found that dark chocolate actively fights tooth decay.
5. Pixy Stix and Wonka Fun Dip – Grade: F
If acid causes cavities, then these are some of the absolute worst for teeth. While they may be childhood favorites, just because something is nostalgic doesn’t make it good for you!
Your teeth thrive in an environment with a pH level of around seven. This is near the middle of the acid-alkaline scale. When the scales are tipped into acidic levels, it can harm teeth. These sugary candies can bring the pH down to two! At that level, tooth enamel begins to decalcify.
6. Caramel Apple – Grade: B
While caramel by itself is sticky and not great for teeth, combining it with an apple brings this grade up to a “B.” Apples are great for teeth. Their high fiber content is like a natural toothbrush. So while digging into a caramel apple, your teeth are being cleaned!
All of this is to say, not all candies are created equal. Oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing are still the best way to prevent tooth decay. It may be a good idea to visit your dentist after Halloween night for a checkup! This will allow them to monitor your children’s mouths and keep them cavity-free all year round!
About the Practice
Dr. José Garcia and Dr. Thomas Kim are the powerhouse dental team at Healthy Kids Dentistry. Their passion for helping children’s smiles thrive shows in all aspects of care from the friendly and comfortable environment to the care and understanding they show with all their young patients. To schedule an appointment, call (301) 844-6999 or visit the website to delve into the services they provide.