Best and Worst Halloween Treats for Your Kids' Teeth

Most children love candy, and Halloween gives them access to loads of it. All that trick-or-treating usually leaves kids with an impressive stash to work through for weeks, which naturally has parents wondering about cavities. The team at Richard Hardt's Live Oak Dental is always happy to answer your questions about caring for your kids' teeth, including how to handle the Halloween candy haul.

What Causes Tooth Decay

When kids eat a lot of sugar and do not clean their teeth well, the bacteria in their mouths feed on those sugars and form acidic plaque that wears down enamel and causes cavities. The best defense is eating less sugar and brushing often, but a few smart candy choices help too, as long as they are followed by brushing, flossing, and rinsing.

Best Halloween Treats

• Sugar-free candy avoids the cavity-causing sugars of regular candy, though it can still contain enamel-damaging acids, so enjoy it in moderation.
• Chocolate does not stick to teeth as much as other candies, dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate, and its tannins can even help fight cavity-causing bacteria.

Worst Halloween Treats

• Acidic and sour candies are high in acid that eats away at enamel.
• Caramels stick to teeth, keeping sugar in contact far longer.
• Hard candy and jawbreakers can crack teeth and prolong sugar exposure when sucked on.

Halloween is a fun holiday, and with good choices and regular dental care you can protect your kids' smiles. Contact our office to schedule a checkup.