What would Halloween be without dressing up in costumes, sharing scary stories, and indulging in a variety of sweet and sour candy? The excitement begins days, even weeks, before October 31. And that excitement isn’t just for the kids who can’t wait to knock on doors, it’s also for the adults who get in on the holiday revelries.
About 4% of all candy is consumed on Halloween. Since it’s an integral part of the celebration, we want to give you some guidelines on how to handle the sweet stuff for you and your family. Starting from worst to BEST!
THE WORST CANDY.
Chewy/Sticky Sweets: Such as gummy candies and taffy, and sorry, even dried fruit fits into this category. These offenders can get stuck in between teeth, and in some instances, can pull out fillings and other dental work. If you’re going to enjoy a piece, pace yourself. Have one and follow it with a healthy crunchy snack like almonds or celery. It will help get the sticky stuff off the surface of your teeth.
NOT AS BAD, BUT STILL…
Hard Candy: Think lollipops, fireballs, and gobstoppers. These are bad because of how long they are in your mouth. Hard candy is intended to linger and then dissolve. That’s lots of sugar hanging out for a long time on your teeth encouraging cavities, not to mention that biting into a hard candy can end up in chipped teeth.
NOT GREAT.
Sour Stuff: The more it makes you pucker, the more acidic it is. Sour gummies and pixie stix taste good, but the acidity wreaks havoc on the enamel of your teeth. If you’re going to indulge, rinse with water after you’ve finished it.
GETTING BETTER.
Chocolate! Let’s hear it for the good news. Chocolate is one of the best Halloween candies to collect. As long as it doesn’t have a creamy or sticky center, and is preferably dark. But at least it’s on the healthier side!
BEST OF ALL!
Sugarfree gum for the WIN. It typically has 5-15 calories per piece and keeps your mouth active and your mind distracted from the other items in the candy dish.
There is no “perfect” Halloween candy, but certainly, there are some that are better than others. Moderation is key. Your best defense is to have a solid daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing. Check out our healthy eating tips to offset the excess sugar intake.
Have questions or concerns about your oral health? We’d love to talk to you! Call us at 828.277.5024 or contact us!
