If you are like me then you are not only concerned with the sugar intake on Halloween night, but also the lasting effects of it on your little ones teeth! In our home, the Tooth Fairy comes on Halloween night. I allow my girls to hide a few pieces of candy, but she takes the rest! Check out this awesome list of the best and worst Halloween treats for your little monster’s teeth sent by Jefferson’s Dental Clinics.
Halloween candies to avoid
- Hard candies that slowly dissolve in your mouth like jawbreakers, Jolly Ranchers or suckers can be especially harmful because of the amount of time the sugars sit on the tooth’s surface. Another huge concern with hard candies, like jaw breakers, is that they can chip teeth.
- Chewy candy like taffies, toffies, gummies and caramels can get stuck in the crevices of your teeth, and can continue promoting decay for hours or even days!
Halloween candies that are ok for teeth
- Sugar-free candies and gums are best for adult and developing teeth. In fact, some of them actually encourage saliva production, which is the #1 defendant against cavities.
- Chocolate-based sweets, especially dark chocolate, rinse from teeth easily and in some cases have even been shown to provide beneficial antioxidants when ingested.
- Powdery candy, while sugar-based, dissolves quickly and don’t stick to teeth.
Alternative Halloween treats
- Apples with yogurt are a good “sweet” snack that doesn’t coat the teeth in sugar. Apples are thought to be good for the teeth because the natural crunch disturbs plaque.
- Carrots, cucumbers and celery with dressing. Veggies aren’t the top choice for kids on Halloween but try out fun ways to serve up healthy alternatives.
- Crackers, popcorn and savory snacks come in festive fun-size packaging like Halloween candies do, but rinse from teeth more easily than sugary snacks. Be wary of sticky, marshmallow or caramel coated treats that stick to teeth.
Make sure you are taking an active role in helping your kids understand the healthy limitations of eating Halloween candy and the importance of good oral hygiene, this all hallows eve is sure to be a scream.
