Not only is Halloween in October, but this month is also National Dental Hygiene Month. The holiday is loved by children and adults alike for the sweet treats it brings, but all of that sugar can wreak havoc on your teeth. Below is information about the different types of candy and their effect on smiles, so you can manage your family’s sweet tooth. If you don’t, cavities may ensue as well as the need for cosmetic dental care like veneers or whitening to hide stains or damage.

What’s the Worst Candy for Teeth?

One of autumn’s most popular sweets is also your smile’s biggest adversary: caramel. This also goes for any sticky, chewy, or gummy candies that cling to teeth and are difficult to remove, like taffy. Since they can’t be easily brushed away, they expose teeth to long-term contact with sugars, increasing the risk of cavities and infections. Sour candies are also terrible for your smile, as they’re highly acidic and eat away at your teeth. 

The erosion these candies cause weakens your enamel, leaving your teeth more susceptible to stains, cracks, and cavities. If the cavities are severe enough, you could be left with a misshapen or discolored tooth once the cavity is healed. To restore your tooth’s natural appearance, you will need a whitening treatment, veneer, or crown done by a cosmetic dentist. Avoid excessive amounts of candy to prevent future trips to the dentist for cavities and cosmetic dental care.

What’s the Best Candy for Teeth?

Sugar-free candies are the best option for your teeth, but not everyone will be giving it out on Halloween. If you don’t want your children to rebel against a sugar ban, gum and hard candies like lollipops won’t necessarily land them in the dentist’s chair for toothaches, cavities, or cosmetic dental care. Both candy types promote saliva production, which cleans your teeth of sugars and food particles. You should still limit your family’s intake of them, though, because the longer they are consumed means more time for sugar to erode the teeth.

Chocolate is another fantastic option. By itself, it dissolves quickly in the mouth is easily removed from your teeth, preventing prolonged sugar exposure. It’s a sweet treat that many children and adults love, and now, you have an extra reason to appreciate it.

In Anchorage, Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska offers exceptional surgical and cosmetic dental care, from wisdom teeth removal to dental implants. Their oral surgeons are experienced and skilled members of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons®, American Dental Association®, and Alaska Dental Society, with surgical assistants who are sedation IV trained and CPR-certified. For more than 15 years, their board-certified oral surgeons have provided expert surgical solutions for common dental ailments, from wisdom teeth removal to cosmetic dental care, for patients of all ages. Learn more about their services online or schedule an appointment by calling (907) 561-1430.