The Worst Halloween Candies for Your Teeth

Don’t let sugar trick you, not all Halloween treats are bad for your teeth! Did you know that some can actually benefit your overall health? If you’re looking to hand out a healthier alternative this Halloween or want to keep little mouths cavity-free, check out the five best and worst Halloween treats for your teeth.

Sugar-free gum is a much healthier alternative to bubble gum. Whereas regular bubble gum has harmful acids attack your teeth, this gum cleans your mouth! Xylitol is one of the main ingredients in sugar-free gum and it has been proven to reduce decay-causing bacteria. This is a great way to get the chew you love without sacrificing your teeth. Popular brands that have sugar free options include:

•  Trident
• Juicy Fruit
• Ice Breaker

These gums can be found in any health food store as well as in most major grocery stores. Kids will love the taste and parents will love the health benefits accosted with chewing. Having a cavity-free Halloween has never been easier!

Unlike most candies, chocolate brushes off your teeth very easy making it a healthier alternative for your sweet tooth. Dark chocolate can be good for your teeth whereas it contains cocoa beans which help to remove bacteria from your teeth which results in a decreased chance of having tooth decay. Here are some of the best chocolate bars for your teeth:

•       Dove Dark Chocolate
•       Lindt Excellence
•       Kohler Dark Chocolate

It is important to remember that not all chocolate bars are good for you, ones with sticky fillings can cause serious harm to your teeth. In order to keep your mouth in the best possible condition opt for organic or mostly coca chocolates.

Candy bars with nuts break up the stickiness and help protect your teeth. Regular candy bars can contain sticky fillings that easily get stuck in hard to brush places and can result in tooth decay. Here are some of the best choices for candy bar lovers:

•     Nature Valley Granola Bars
•     Peanut M&M’s
•       Snicker Bars

Though these are a good option for most children, those who are going through orthodontist treatment won’t be able to indulge in nut bars.

Sliced apples are a healthy and easy snack during any time of year. Dressing the apples up for Halloween makes them that more exciting! With this delicious fruit, the possibilities are endless. If apples don’t excite you, you can make any fruit into a scary snack, here are some cost-effective and easy ideas:

• Spooky Strawberries
• Frozen Banana Ghost  
•  Pumpkin Oranges

If you’re looking for some healthy yet spooky treats for your family to enjoy or if you’re looking to spice up your Halloween party this year, these spooky snacks will be a hit for kids and adults alike.

A Halloween without candy can sound alarming to some people, but hear us out. Many children miss out on Halloween each year due to food allergies and other health issues, handing out non-candy treats is a fun and inclusive way for everyone to enjoy the Holiday. Here are some great ideas:

•     Glow Sticks
•     Spider Rings
•     Halloween Pencils and Erasers

Every child will be just as excited to receive Halloween gifts as they would be to receive Halloween candy, parents will also love the health benefits of this idea. Lesser chance of tooth decay, no tummy aches and everyone is included. It is a win-win situation!

Sour Candy tops the list as one of the worst foods for your mouth. They contain a different kind of acid which is much stronger than your teeth and often times causes tooth decay. Here are some of the most commonly known sour candies that you need to stay away from:

•     War Heads
•     Sour Patch Kids
•    Sour gummy bears

If you’re craving a sweet treat there are much better options for your mouth, like dark chocolate and natural sugars like fruit! There plenty of ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your oral health.

Sticky candy is hard to brush off and can get suck in hard to brush places which then leads to tooth decay. Staying away from these types of candy will not only befit your teeth but your overall health as well. Here are the sticky candies you will want to avoid:

• Taffy
• Gummy Worms 
• Candies with sticky fillings

These candies are among the most common Halloween treats but they are one of the worse for your oral health. Don’t let the candy bite back this year, have a tooth-friendly Halloween and throw these candies away!

This childhood favorite is extremely damaging to your teeth. Any sugary substance that stays in your mouth for extended periods of time can cause cavities and tooth decay much quicker than candy that gets consumed after being chewed. The best types of sugars and lollipops to stay away from include:

•    Gobstoppers
• Jolly Ranchers
•    Jaw Breakers

The bacteria in your mouth (Tartar, plaque, etc.) feeds off of sugar and creates an acidic environment in your mouth after having these types of sweets. Enamel erosion and decay are very common after consuming these highly sugary sweets.

You might love the crunch of a potato chip but your teeth don’t! Chips are loaded with starch which quickly turns into sugar that can rot your teeth. The acid in chips lasts a while in your mouth which increases the risk of tooth decay tremendously. If you crave the crunch but want to protect your teeth, give these healthy snacks a try:

•   Celery
•   Apples
•   PeanutsAfter consuming any crunchy food it is important to floss your teeth to <!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->orthodontist ensure nothing is wedged in hard to reach areas. After flossing, rinse with mouth wash to be extra safe. Tooth decay and cavities are 100% preventable.

It is no surprise that carbonated drinks are bad for you but they are still given out during Halloween. Not only are these drinks responsible for a large amount of tooth decay and enamel erosion but they also have a number of very serious health risks associated with them:

•   Obesity
•  Sugars turn into fat in your liver
•  Increased risk of type two diabetes 

Substituting this sugary drink for a milk, tea or water is a much healthier alternative to staying hydrated. Due to the amount of sugar in carbonated drinks, they will only make your thirstier and have the opposite effect than what you were looking for.

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