Halloween is fast approaching. We know consuming candy is pretty much unavoidable. You ca, however, eat candy responsibly!

Not all sweets are created equal. Some can wreak havoc on your teeth. We’ve got a list of the best and worst candy for your oral health.

The Worst Offenders:

• Sticky, chewy snacks like caramel, gummy bears, salt water taffy and even dried fruit get stuck in the teeth easily. The general rule is that the stickier the candy, the worse it is for your teeth. Delta Dental’s survey says 57 percent of kids eat chewy candy at Halloween.

• Candy corn is laden with sugar that produces acid that eats away at your teeth.

• Sour candies have high acid levels that break down tooth enamel, especially the soft enamel of young children.

• Hard candies stay in your mouth for a long time, drenching it in sugar.

• Jawbreakers actually are hard enough to chip your teeth!

The Best Choices:

• Sugar-free lollipops stimulate saliva production, which flushes away bacteria from your teeth, tongue and gums. Delta Dental’s survey says 44 percent of kids eat sugar-free candy at Halloween.

• Chocolate melts quickly. Choose your favorite variety: milk, dark or white. Be sure to choose the plain variety because chocolate with fillings, such as nuts or caramel, are more harmful to your teeth. Delta Dental’s survey says 86 percent of kids eat chocolate at Halloween.

• Peanut butter cups are similar to chocolate in that they disappear fast.

• Sugar-free gum helps dislodge food particles and stimulate saliva production(Source: chron.com).

Be sure to practice your oral care routine after consuming candy. Candy left sitting on your teeth can produce damaging bacteria. We’re guessing you don’t want to see the dentists drill on your next visit.

For more information on oral health & Halloween candy contact Dr. Rosenbuch at (561) 394-7888 or visit our website at https://cliverosenbuschdds.com/