Fear is subjective. Some fear ghosts, other zombies, and a select few are horrified at the thought of tooth decay. Since All Hallows’ Eve comes with tons of candy, dentists decided to speak up and make a list of the worst Halloween candy that should not make an appearance in a child’s bag.
Hard Candy Increases Chances of Tooth Chipping
Apart from the fact that many tooth chipping accidents in children are provoked by excited kids biting into a jawbreaker or a lollipop, hard candy also leads to elevated levels of sugar in the mouth.
According to dentists, hard candy lingers in the mouth, using saliva to release its sugar and aroma. Usually, saliva helps in getting teeth cleaned after a sugary meal, but when it comes in contact with hard candy, it only enhances the sugar levels, allowing it to stay in the mouth for longer times, attacking the integrity of teeth and speeding up the decay process.
Sour Sweets Weaken Enamel
Sour candy generates elevated levels of acidity in the mouth, causing a weakening of the enamel. Enamel is the protective layer of the tooth, the barrier between the teeth and the outside world.
Gummy Treats Stick to the Teeth
Gummy bears are almost entirely artificial. In order to reach their specific consistency, they go through multiple processing steps, each one adding a different artificial ingredient.
Most children prefer gummy treats due to their unusual shapes, flavors, and consistency. However, they tend to stick to teeth, finding a safe spot into crevasses and the space between teeth, eliminating sugar and other substances that accelerate tooth decay.
The Worst Halloween Candy Of Them All?
All candy is harmful to the teeth, and according to dentists, even an apple can lead to tooth decay if people do not brush their teeth after eating.
Experts advise parents to make sure that their children pay close attention to oral hygiene this Halloween weekend. Brushing and flossing can go a long way, especially since tooth decay is for times more common than asthma, affecting millions of children in the United States every year.
If your child gathers a considerable candy stash this Halloween, you can look up Buy Back programs initiated by dentist offices throughout the country.
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