Halloween is right around the corner and little kids everywhere (and you!) are getting ready for their night of sugary treats. Who doesn’t love this night of trick-or-treating? We’ll tell you who: your dentist!

Your night of Halloween festivities doesn’t have to end with a mouth full of cavities. We broke down a list of some of the worst Halloween treats for your teeth, tricks on how to protect you from these treats, and we provided some better options for you and your family.

The Worst Candies

• Chewy Candy

Sadly, chewy candies are our No. 1 worst candy for your mouth. They stick and stay in your mouth longer than other kinds. Bacteria have more time to feed on the sticky sugars and plaque will build around your teeth and gums.

Chewy candies include bubble gum, caramel, coconut, gummies, and taffy.

• Hard Candy

There is no doubt, these candies are hard on your teeth. Not only can they crack and chip your teeth, but they also stay in your mouth for long periods of time. The sugars of these hard candies cling to your teeth and bacteria will feed on it. Plus, hard candies will raise the acidity level in your mouth.

• Sour Candy

The sourness of these candies holds a high acidity level, which can break down tooth enamel. Although some sour candies dissolve quickly in your mouth, a higher pH level in your mouth can lead to cavities and tooth decay.

Tricks For Your Treats

1. Make sure to drink lots of water. The water will help dissolve all those sugars so your teeth are not coated for long periods of time.
2. Brush and floss your teeth 20-30 minutes after eating your candy. If done within this amount of time, the sticky residue won’t be able to form plaque.
3. Think about treating yourself with a “less damaging” alternative from the list below.

Healthier Alternatives

• Chocolate

Yep, we said it – chocolate. Now, we are not saying that chocolate is good for your teeth, but compared to the candies listed above, it really isn’t as bad. Chocolate dissolves fairly quickly in your mouth, giving bacteria and acids less time to do their work in your mouth. Dark chocolate has the least amount of sugary contents, making it one of the best alternatives of them all.

• Sugar-Free

Sugar-free candies are our No. 1 best option for Halloween treats. These sugar-free treats don’t leave any sugar residue on your teeth and they contain the natural sugar supplement, xylitol – plaque can not form from this substance.

We hope everyone has a great Halloween and if you do need some dental care after this holiday – The Dental Care Center is here for you! Contact us today!