October 28, 2022
It’s that time of year again–Halloween! And while it’s always fun to dress up and go trick-or-treating, it’s important to be aware of the potential effects all that candy may have on your teeth.
Cavities are caused by bacteria in your mouth feeding on the food left behind in your teeth. Throughout the day, you may notice a buildup of plaque (filmy substance). Plaque is a mixture of saliva and leftover food. The bacteria in your mouth love plaque! And they love to eat plaque. When this happens, acids are produced that can break down tooth enamel, leading to cavities. So, if you eat a lot of sugary candy (or don’t brush your teeth regularly!), you’re at a higher risk of developing cavities.
Read more about cavities and the sign that you may have on our blog here!
Well, too much of anything can be a bad thing! That doubles down when it comes to foods known to increase your risk of cavities—like candy. Any candy can cause cavities when eaten in excess. However, certain types of candy may be worse for your teeth!
Some Halloween candy is especially troublesome because it often contains sticky caramel or gummies that can cling to your teeth. It gives the cavity-causing bacteria more time to feed on the sugar and produce acids. The good news? Chocolate is one of the more friendly candies for your teeth. It’s easier to remove than other candy, which makes it one of your safest bets.
What about hard candy? Hard candies can be tricky. Biting down on a piece of hard candy can break or fracture a tooth! Hard candy also tends to sit longer in your mouth as you suck on it, meaning the sugar mixing with your saliva has plenty of time to make its way onto all your teeth and form a good amount of plaque.
So, if you’re going to indulge in some Halloween candy this year, brush your teeth afterward. Brushing your teeth twice a day may significantly reduce your risk of cavities. If you already have cavities forming, you might notice increased sensitivity to sweets. And try to avoid too much candy at once–spread your candy consumption out over a few days!
Finding it difficult to eat your candy this year? That means it’s time to call your dentist and schedule an appointment to have your teeth checked. Contact Sinquefield Family Dentistry today for an appointment!
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