Halloween is right around the corner and at Calcagno Family Dentistry, we couldn’t feel more excited about this fun-filled holiday. Yet, it’s important to remember dental health during Halloween, since the entire day is centered around treat bags full of candy.
While eating candy in moderation isn’t detrimental to your smile, some candy is much worse than others. Therefore, your Rochester, MN dentist, Dr. Gilly Calcagno, shares which Halloween candy is safe to enjoy and which ones to avoid, in the following article.
Halloween Candy that Wreaks Havoc Upon Teeth
The worst offenders:
- Taffy. Topping the list is taffy, hands down. Oral bacteria feeds on sugar left behind by the foods we eat. This feeding process produces an acid as a byproduct, which breaks down the enamel. Once the enamel has been weakened, the bacteria has the opportunity to penetrate teeth and cause cavities.
When you eat sticky candy, like, taffy or soft caramel, the bacteria is able to linger for longer periods of time to create more acid. If you choose to eat any overly sticky candy, your Rochester, MN dentist recommends brushing immediately afterward. - Lollipops. While lollipops don’t stick to teeth, these candies take quite a bit of time to dissolve. This elongated exposure to sugar has the same effect upon your teeth as the taffy would. As aforementioned, after eating any hard candies, take care to brush right away.
- Sour candy. Eating sour candy exposes your teeth to two decay-causing elements: acidity and sugar. The acidic qualities that make sour candy sour, weakens the enamel and the sugar allows bacteria to penetrate the already-softened enamel with ease.
Better choices:
- Chocolate. If you’re craving some Halloween candy, your Rochester, MN dentist suggests reaching for a less-damaging alternative. Dark chocolate only contains small amounts of sugar; plus, the cocoa is full of antioxidants and antibacterial qualities that help protect your teeth and gums. If possible, look for classic chocolate candies made from dark chocolate rather than milk chocolate.
- Sugarless gum. Chewing gum helps stimulate the salivary glands and dislodges food bits from teeth. Additionally, with a variety of flavors, your sweet-tooth craving is satiated whilst your teeth stave off tooth decay.
Calcagno Family Dentistry Offers Exceptional Preventative Dental Care
For more tips and tricks to protect your smile during the Fall season, talk to Dr. Calcagno. With her help you can enjoy the pending holidays while keep your smile as healthy as possible. To schedule an appointment with your Rochester, MN dentist, call us at (507) 281-3659. Also, visit our website for services, before and after photos, and testimonials. We look forward to treating patients from Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington and surrounding communities.
