Care One Dental Warns Parents of Halloween Candy Splurging

With Halloween comes fun costumes, plenty of parties and tons of candy. Bacteria in your mouth is patiently waiting for you to indulge in the sugary treats offered almost everywhere you look, so preparation is key for keeping your teeth strong and healthy this season.

Sugar from candy does not directly harm your teeth, however, the bacteria in your mouth that feeds off the sugars produces an acid that erodes tooth enamel. Cavities and tooth decay can both result from this acid if preventative measures aren’t taken.

“Halloween is a perfect excuse to splurge on your favorite treats you usually avoid throughout the year,” says Dr. Jason Wilner, Owner of Care One Dental. “As long as you brush your teeth twice daily and floss at least once daily throughout the year, you should have no problem treating yourself occasionally.”

If you are having a hard time deciding which candies to enjoy from your trick-or-treat loot, here is a rundown of some popular candies and their effects on your teeth.

• Chocolate: As one of the most popular candies handed out during Halloween, it is also one of the least harmful. It is easily washed from teeth, and dark chocolate is much lower in sugar compared to others on this list.

• Gummies: On the contrary, sticky candies are some of the worst for your teeth. Being the hardest to remove from enamel and saliva, they also allow for the sugar-eating bacteria to hang around for the longest time.

• Hard Candies: Taking the longest to dissolve, these candies also top the list for the most harmful. Not only do they provide more time for the bacteria to eat away at the enamel, they can also break teeth.

• Sour Stuff: Topping the list for most harmful, sugar-coated gummies can be the most acidic making them even more of a risk for enamel decay and cavities.

Thankfully, there are some recommendations for keeping your teeth healthy this Halloween season.

Be sure to drink plenty of water as it can minimize the negative effects of sugar and wash away any food stuck between the teeth. Eat candy with other foods to increase saliva production. This will also help wash away food particles while fighting the acid in your mouth. Finally, be sure to brush your teeth about 30 minutes after eating to remove the enamel-eating bacteria.

Come by our Delray Beach office for a dental checkup if you’re due for an appointment or just need a cleaning. Book an appointment easily through their website or by calling 561-894-4299.

About Care One Dental

Care One Dental is a boutique dental practice which specializes in providing comprehensive dental care at an affordable price. It is located in Delray Beach, FL. Dr. Jason Wilner, the owner of Care One Dental, is a graduate of NYU College of Dentistry. Jason loves building relationships with his clients and making them feel at home when they come to his practice.