Don’t let Halloween treats play tricks on your teeth.
While all that mouth-watering candy is delightful to the taste buds, it’s important to have a post-Halloween plan to keep your pearly whites in tip-top shape. Sugar is not only food for our bodies, it’s food for the bacteria in our mouth that cause cavities.
Before you delve into that remaining Halloween candy, here is a list of common candies and their negative impact on your teeth:
Hard Candy
This type of candy typically lingers in your mouth, leading to potentially hazardous consequences. You are essentially bathing your teeth in sugar and feeding that harmful bacteria – yikes, now that is scary!
Sour Candy
The acidity of sour candy can weaken tooth enamel, making them more prone to decay. Acids of any kind, such as those found in beverages, are also bad for the enamel on your teeth. Intake should be limited and remember to always rinse your mouth out with water after ingestion.
Chocolate
If you have to choose the “lesser of the evils,” then chocolate is probably your best bet. However, chocolate still contains sugar and sticks to teeth.
Sticky and Gummy Candies
Unfortunately, sticky and gummy candies are some of the worst candies for your teeth because they are harder to remove and may stay longer on your teeth. This gives cavity-causing bacteria more time to do its dirty work.
Popcorn Balls
Kernels can get stuck between your teeth, so be sure to floss after you enjoy this popular fall treat. Remember, it’s not just about the teeth – it’s so important to keep our gums healthy as well!
