The Best And Worst Halloween Candy For Your Kids Teeth

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As your little one gets excited to go trick-or-treating, you might feel anxious about what all that candy can mean for their oral health.

As you know, sugar isn’t really tooth-friendly, and too much of it can increase a child’s risk for cavities and other health issues like gum disease.

But did you know there are also some tooth-friendly sweets available? Check them out below!

The Best Halloween Candy

The best candy to give out to kids on Halloween to protect their smiles is:

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• Sugar-free candy: Take sugar out of the equation completely with candy that uses alternative sweeteners. A lot of the time, they taste similar to the real deal, and your child won’t even tell the difference.

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• Dried fruit (sometimes): Fruit that is dried naturally also provides a treat with less sugar. If you want to give your child some, be sure to check the packaging for any added sugars beforehand.

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• Dark chocolate: Lastly, dark chocolate also uses a lot less sugar than milk or other types of chocolate. Unfortunately, this also makes it slightly bitter, and not all kids are crazy about it.

Worst Halloween Candy

Here are some treats your child should generally avoid:

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• Sour candy: These are highly acidic and are generally not enamel-friendly.

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• Sticky candy: Caramel and toffee can stick to the teeth and be difficult to remove when the child is brushing their teeth.

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• Hard candy: These have the highest amounts of sugar, and kids tend to chew on them rather than dissolve them in their mouths. This can place too much pressure on their teeth.

What Should You Do on Halloween?

It’s worth mentioning that your child won’t automatically develop a cavity just because they enjoyed some caramel treats on Halloween, so don’t feel obligated to forbid these treats on the night in question!

Cavities don’t form overnight, so as long as your child doesn’t routinely eat these "worst candies", there’s no reason to be afraid of some Halloween fun.

Of course, you should still monitor their sugar intake that night and ensure they don’t go overboard. Too much sugar can lead to other issues, like an upset stomach.

And maybe help them brush their teeth on Halloween night, just to make sure they remove all traces of their trick-or-treating harvest.

Is Your Child Dealing with a Cavity? We Can Help

Halloween or not, children are usually more prone to cavities, so if you just noticed your little one might be dealing with one, we have an entire team of certified pediatric dentists who can help.

Dr. Rene, Dr. Pat, Dr. Rafal, Dr. Eunice, Dr. Nadia, and Dr. Marshall are here to restore the little one’s oral health and support their healthy smile development.

Request an appointment at Sweetwater Pediatric Dentistry online and stop by with your child to access compassionate and quality pediatric dental services.