Candy is something we all love, especially during Halloween. While enjoying these goodies can be a blast, your teeth may feel otherwise. It is okay to trick or treat, but it is essential to be aware of the impact these snacks have on your oral health. Taking a day to binge on the sweets is not too harmful as long as you maintain your routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are important all year round and especially during this time. In keeping your mouth at its best, it will help in combating any potential issues that can come about. You also have the ability to pick and choose what delectables you revel in on Halloween night. Here are some of the most common treats eaten and how to enjoy them wisely:
Candies
Sour Candy
Sour candies are a favorite for its effects on the taste buds, notably the ones covered in sugar. These candies tend to be sticky as well. Both of these characteristics can be bad for the teeth so if possible stay away from them. Anything sugary or sticky tends to cling to the enamel and can over time cause cavities. The acidic properties within can also break down the teeth leading to tooth decay. Beware!
Hard Candy
Hard candies not only cause damage to the teeth due to its sugar content, but because of how it is made itself. While eating these treats, they can actually break the tooth due to the hardened outer shell. They are difficult to chew, requiring more effort when eating them. Because of this extra effort, these candies also tend to stay in the mouth longer. The longer that they stay in the mouth, the sugar mixes into the saliva that coats the teeth. If you can, limit how much of these goodies you eat.
Gummy and Sticky Candies
Gummy and sticky candies can unfortunately be one of least favorable delicacies for the teeth. These tend to stay on the teeth for longer and are more difficult to remove completely. When not thoroughly cleaned from the enamel, bacteria can grow on the teeth and speed up tooth decay causing cavities. The only exception to this can be sugar free gum, which actually can help in preventing tooth decay. Other sugar free candies are good to eat as well, just be sure to do your research on anything you are unsure about.
Chocolate
This is actually one of the best treats to eat while celebrating Halloween. It helps that these tend to be the most handed out candies. These are one of the easier goodies to clean off of the teeth preventing cavities from forming. Dark chocolate specifically is one of the best types of chocolate to enjoy due to its sugar content.
Halloween is a great time to enjoy yourself with friends and family while eating some delicious treats. Just be careful about how much candy you choose to eat during this time because of the effects they can have. Be sure to schedule a check up or dental cleaning after the holiday to clean your teeth and make sure they are at their best. Book an appointment with us today as Dental Made Easy!
Your Dental Health
When it comes to your health, trust in the dentists at Dental Made Easy. Dental Made Easy has the best dental practices in New York City and we are open on Sundays as well as late evenings. All of our dental offices are open and accepting new patients at this time. We are rated among the top dental practices in New York, NY with numerous 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. For a teeth cleaning or exam, we recommend calling or booking an appointment online with one of our talented dental professionals. All new patients may also take advantage of our $149 Cleaning Special that includes an exam and x-rays of our Free Dental Implant Consultation Special.
To set up your appointment give us a call at (844) 979-EASY (3279). We have offices in Kew Gardens, Flatbush and New Hyde Park. Walk-ins welcomed, we take emergencies and we are open on late nights to accommodate patients with a busy schedule. We hope to see you soon!
