Stock up on sour and hard-boiled trick-or-treaters this Halloween.
At least that’s the advice from dentists who say it’s the worst option for your child’s teeth.
Some varieties can contain up to 17 grams of sugar per handful.
Once sugar breaks down in the mouth, it can be converted into harmful acid that destroys tooth enamel – the hard outer layer of a tooth. In addition, the combination of acid and saliva can lead to plaque formation.
But parents shouldn’t worry too much if they see a pile of candy bars in their child’s basket on Tuesday night, say experts.
According to dentists, sticky, hard-boiled and sour sweets (examples above) are among the most harmful to teeth due to their high sugar content. There is also a risk of chipping teeth and making the mouth so acidic that it can wear away tooth enamel, they warn. Instead, dentists recommend spreading low-sugar options like sugar-free gum, jelly beans and yogurt-covered fruit, as well as dark chocolate popcorn and granola bars (samples below).
Dentists say it might be better to eat the candy quickly rather than snacking on it all day
Dr Richard Marques, a dentist from Harley Street, said: “Chocolate is usually slightly better for the teeth than sweets as it washes off the teeth and leaves less sugar residue than sweets.”
“When it comes to teeth, pure, dark chocolate is the best choice over milk chocolate bars as it generally contains less sugar and more antioxidants.”
But it’s not just about what sweets you eat, but also how you eat them.
It may sound strange, but it may be better to eat chocolate and jelly beans than to spread the amount of candy.
“Eating a pack of sweets in one go, say for 30 minutes, is not as bad as eating the same pack of sweets slowly throughout the day,” says the London dentist dr. Deepak Aulak.
The mouth needs time to balance its pH and fight sugar, he explained. Sugar lowers the pH level in the mouth, making it more acidic, which destroys tooth enamel.
“If you eat sweets slowly – like sweets that take a long time – it’s worse for your mouth – and it’s a defense against the sugar,” he says.
Dr Aulak added: “Anything with a high sugar content and a sticky consistency that can get stuck in your teeth is obviously the worst.”
Toffees such as Cadbury Chocolate Eclairs are an example of this type of sweet. They contain 17 grams per five candies.
According to the NHS, children aged four to six should have no more than 19 grams of free sugar added to food or drink, while children aged seven to ten should consume no more than 24 grams.
Dr Sam Jethwa, a dentist from Buckinghamshire, recommends avoiding sweets that are “particularly sticky” as these “stays on the tooth surface the longest and is also difficult to remove.”
He also recommends avoiding it hard boiled sweets.
These “stay in the mouth the longest, which means the mouth is more exposed to sugar,” while biting into them can cause cracks or chips in the teeth, Dr. Jethwa.
Swizzel’s Trick or Treat Lolly Mix, which includes drumstick chews and hard-boiled lollipops, fits into this category. They contain 15 grams of sugar per two lollipops.
Sour sweets can also lead to increased tooth sensitivity and tooth decay.
Dr. Marques said it’s one of the “worst candies” for dental damage.
This is because of the “tremendous amount of acid” they contain, which can cause tooth enamel to wear away faster than other sweets.
“Eating sour sweets can lead to sensitive teeth, major tooth decay and translucent teeth,” he said.
“Eating sour sweets at other times of the month can also cause damage to taste buds, mouth ulcers and burns.”
These sweets are full of sugar. For example, there are 16 grams per seven Sour Patch Kids candies.
Dr. Marques recommends giving out low-sugar options on Halloween to minimize the impact on teeth.
He suggests offering sugar-free gum, jelly beans and yogurt-covered fruit, as well as popcorn and dark chocolate granola bars.
It’s crucial to make sure children drink water after eating candy to help the pH level in their mouths return to normal, and to brush their teeth to remove debris, says Dr. Jethwa.
Although children do not have teeth for life, their baby teeth still need to be taken care of, dentists warn.
“Many people think that because a child still has milk teeth, the effects of sugar on teeth cannot play a big role. But tooth decay can still occur,” says dr. Jethwa.
“Symptoms of tooth decay can include sensitivity, swelling and pain of the teeth. In some cases, tooth decay can lead to problems with the growth of the adult tooth.”
To prevent the horrors of tooth decay and gum disease, dentists recommend that children brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste before and after eating candy.
Dr. Jethwa suggests taking it a step further and flossing to get rid of sticky candy.
“Many assume that flossing is only for adults, but once children have teeth that touch and can get food stuck between them, they should floss once a day, especially after eating sweets that are particularly chewy,” he says. .
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
