Cavities – When Buying Halloween Candy, Think Teeth

You wouldn't want the Hulk's or Cinderella's mouth filled with cavities, would you? The Massachusetts Dental Society believes that not all candy is created equally and there are good and not so good options for satisfying every trick-or-treater's sweet tooth.

According to Dr. Shelley McBride, an MDS member and president of the Massachusetts Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, it's the sticky, chewy candy that may really be harmful to a child's teeth. Really any food that contains carbohydrates, sugar, or starch can cause tooth decay. So, as far as your dental health is concerned, eating a piece of chocolate is actually not much different from eating a slice of bread or an apple, she notes.

However, according to Dr. McBride, there is a difference between eating a chocolate candy bar and eating sticky candy. Sweets, like caramels or gummy candies, get stuck between teeth and therefore are not as easily brushed away or washed away by saliva, water, or milk, she explains. As a result, these candies have more cavity-causing potential than some sweets that are more rapidly cleared away from the teeth. It's just a good idea to keep this in mind when buying or eating Halloween candy.

Dr. McBride also suggests that trick-or-treaters may want to consider a little extra brushing and flossing during this candy-filled holiday.

Author Notes:

Allison Storm contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!