Which Candies Are Safer for Kids’ Smiles at Halloween?

With autumn approaching just around the corner, many families are preparing for their favorite holiday of the year: Halloween! If you have children at home, they might even be trying to come up with the perfect costume idea, or chatting about all the sweet treats they hope to enjoy.

However, consuming too much candy can cause pediatric oral issues, like cavities or gum disease. Continue reading to learn more about how you can help them enjoy the season without sacrificing their dental health!

What Are Some Halloween Candies to Avoid?

If your kids are trick-or-treating this year, they’ll likely end up with a bucket or bag full of goodies for you to sort through. This is an ideal opportunity to sort through their loot to separate the options that are okay to eat from the ones that have the potential to cause more harm.

For instance, sticky sweets, like taffy and caramels, stick to your enamel for longer periods of time, attracting additional bacteria that release acids that attack your little one’s enamel. Furthermore, hard candies, like lollipops or jawbreakers, could chip or crack their teeth, so you might want to remove those from their pile if they’re too young to understand they shouldn’t bite them.

What Halloween Candies are Safer for My Child’s Teeth?

Most candy contains sugar and can potentially increase likelihood that your child will develop decay or disease, but some options are less harmful than others. For example, chocolate that melts quickly in their mouth results in less sugar exposure to their enamel. Plus, it’s not likely to damage their enamel if they bite or chew it.

However, sugar-free options are ideal to support your child’s dental health. Many stores sell options that have substitute sweeteners that are less harmful.

How Can I Protect My Child’s Smile This Halloween?

Being selective about the treats you hand to your child can help them avoid oral issues, but there are thankfully additional ways you can protect their dental health this Halloween. You might give them candy to eat after dinner, for instance, when their mouth is already wet with saliva to help rinse away sugar and other germs.

You can also strengthen their grin’s resilience by helping them brush and floss twice daily. This removes plaque and bacteria buildup, helping them resist common problems, such as cavities and gum disease.

Finally, taking them for a routine checkup and cleaning before the holiday arrives can give you peace of mind that they’re unlikely to develop issues when they enjoy some of their Halloween candy.

About the Practice

At Vollo Dental Group, you and your family benefit from a husband-and-wife dental duo eager to help you build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Drs. Joseph and Katherine Vollo collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including routine preventive care to avoid potential problems. Their caring approach is combined with state-of-the-art technology for improved comfort and enhanced accuracy. You can request an appointment on the website or call (585) 225-9114.