Halloween is a favorite holiday for kids and adults, but the candy collected in trick-or-treat bags can be tricky for teeth. Your dentist in Lombard, IL, knows that not all sweets are created equally. Some candies cause more harm than others, while a few are less damaging. But how do you know which candies to enjoy and which to avoid?
Get your smile ready for Halloween with Dr. Julie Glud at Dental Care of Lombard. Our general dentist in Lombard, IL, can check and clean your teeth just in time for spooky festivities. So, plan your next visit today! Call us at (630) 629-5700 to book an appointment now.
If you want to enjoy Halloween and still protect your teeth, knowing which candies are better or worse makes all the difference. In this guide, our dentist in Lombard, IL, ranks candies from worst to best when it comes to your smile.
Sticky and Chewy Candies: The Worst Choice
Our dentist in Lombard, IL, warns that chewy sweets cling to every tiny groove and crack in the teeth. As a result, these candies stick around longer than most, which gives cavity-causing bacteria more time to attack enamel.
Caramel, gummies, taffy, and similar sticky treats are especially bad because they are hard to brush away. The sugar lingers, feeding harmful bacteria and increasing the risk of cavities.
Kids and adults who love these treats should always rinse with water afterward and brush 20 minutes after consuming. In this candy ranking, we consider sticky and chewy candies to be the most problematic.
Sour Candies: Acidic and Harmful
Another low-ranking treat, according to our dentist in Lombard, IL, is sour candy. These candies are often coated with citric or malic acid, which can erode enamel.
Enamel erosion makes teeth more sensitive and more vulnerable to cavities. Many sour candies are also sticky, which means they can cling to teeth after the initial sour punch is gone. This one-two punch of sugar and acid creates a high-risk situation for dental health.
Rinsing with water after sour candies can help, but brushing right away is not recommended because enamel is temporarily weakened after acid exposure. We recommend waiting at least 20 to 30 minutes before brushing.
Hard Candies: Risky for Teeth and Jaws
Your dentist in Lombard, IL, says that hard candies can be a gamble. While they may seem harmless at first, hard candies dissolve slowly in the mouth. That means sugar stays in contact with teeth for an extended period, creating a constant acid attack on enamel.
Even worse, biting down too quickly on these candies can lead to cracked or chipped teeth. The combination of long sugar exposure and fracture risk makes them a dangerous Halloween choice.
If you enjoy them, it’s best to let them dissolve completely and never crunch them with your teeth.
Powdery Candies: Quick Dissolve, Lower Risk
Some candies dissolve quickly into a sugary powder. Your dentist in Lombard, IL, explains that while these treats are not healthy for teeth, they cause less harm than sticky or chewy sweets. Because they dissolve fast, the sugar has less time to linger on the enamel. Therefore, the risk of cavities is lower than with candies that cling to teeth.
Chocolate: A Safer Sweet
Your dentist in Lombard, IL, says that plain chocolate is much better for teeth. Unlike sticky or sour candies, chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth and washes away more easily with saliva or water.
Dark chocolate, in particular, contains less sugar and some natural compounds that may benefit oral health. While no candy is completely safe, chocolate is considered a better option compared to other treats. It satisfies a sweet tooth without sticking around too long on enamel.
Sugar-Free Candies: A Friendlier Option
Sugar-free candies earn a higher spot in the ranking by our dentist in Lombard, IL, because they don’t feed cavity-causing bacteria in the same way sugar-filled sweets do. Many sugar-free candies are sweetened with xylitol, which may even reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth.
While enjoying sugar-free candy or gum is not a perfect solution, it can help stimulate saliva flow and protect teeth. For patients who want to enjoy Halloween with fewer dental risks, sugar-free candies are a good option. In fact, our dentist in Lombard, IL, often recommends them as a safer substitute for traditional Halloween treats.
Nuts and Chocolate Combinations: Extra Benefits
Combining chocolate with nuts can actually make candy slightly safer, according to our dentist in Lombard, IL. Nuts add protein and crunch, and they can help break up sticky chocolate that might otherwise cling to teeth. The chewing action required for nuts also stimulates saliva, which helps wash away sugars.
While these treats still contain sugar, the added texture reduces how long the candy sticks to the enamel. In the Halloween ranking, chocolate with nuts earns a better score than plain sticky or chewy sweets. It’s a good compromise for patients who want something satisfying but less harmful.
The Best Choice: Non-Candy Treats
At the very top of the Halloween ranking, your dentist in Lombard, IL, places non-candy treats. Items like small toys, glow sticks, or stickers are fun for kids and completely safe for teeth. While these aren’t traditional sweets, they are becoming a popular alternative for families who want to avoid sugar overload.
From a dental perspective, they are the best choice possible. Parents who hand out non-candy treats during Halloween can reduce cavities in the neighborhood while still spreading holiday fun. For kids with braces, these options are especially helpful since many candies can damage orthodontic appliances.
Get Ready for Spooky Season with Your Dentist in Lombard, IL
When it comes to Halloween, not all candy is equal. Our dentist in Lombard, IL, ranks sticky, sour, and hard candies as the worst for teeth, while chocolate and sugar-free candies earn safer spots. However, non-candy treats come out on top because they protect teeth completely.
If you have concerns about cavities or dental damage after Halloween, schedule a visit with your dentist in Lombard, IL, here, or call Dental Care of Lombard at (630) 629-5700 to keep your teeth healthy all year long.
