As we enter into another holiday season that usually means a boatload of candy for kids as they trick-or-treat from door to door, it’s important to recognize just which candy causes the most cavities. While your pediatric dentist in Long Islandtotally recognizes how fun and important it is to bring home a bag full of candy, we do want to share a little bit about which candy is the worst for teeth.
Candy Corn
Love it or hate it, this sticky candy is everywhere during the fall. Despite the fact that it has the clever name of a healthy vegetable, candy corn can mean bad news for teeth. It’s sticky, which means it lingers on teeth long after it’s eaten, and it’s packed full of sugar, which means those sugar bugs are infesting your little one’s tiny teeth.
Taffy
This delectable treat comes in a ton of different flavors and can be incredibly delicious. However, not only is it loaded with sugar, but it’s also one of the stickiest snacks your kid can have. That means it’s not only bad for teeth because it can stick around, but it also means this treat is known for causing damage to dental restorations such as fillings.
Lollipops
Lollipops and other candies that require a lot of sucking over a prolonged period of time, which means their sugar content is being exposed to teeth the entire time, are dangerous for teeth. After all, the longer a candy takes to consume means the more time sugar is allowed to stick around and cause damage.
Sour Candy
Not only is sour candy packed full of sugar, but it also packs a double punch since it’s also acidic. Acid can weaken tooth enamel and leave teeth at risk for damage caused by sugar. Too much of the stuff can require a visit to your pediatric dentist in Long Island.
Popcorn
Ok, so this one isn’t so sweet, but it is common to find in treat-or-treat bags. Popcorn doesn’t contain a lot of sugar but it has a secret – those pesky hidden kernels. Popcorn kernels can cause tooth damage when bitten unexpectedly. This can cause broken teeth or damage an existing filling.
Best Practices
You may not completely be able to remove these snacks from your kid’s trick-or-treat bag, and that’s ok! What’s important is that your child enjoys these snacks in moderation and that you make sure your little one is brushing and flossing their teeth daily.
While it may seem as if your pediatric dentist in Long Islandhates candy, the truth is that we also love it, just like your kids. But we want to stress the importance of enjoying sweets in moderation and brushing and flossing your kid’s teeth regularly, especially after a candy binge.
FAQs
Sticky candy, such as taffy, caramels, and any types of gummy candies, can increase your chances of developing cavities and oral health problems. Your chances of experiencing oral health problems increase because the candy is sticky.
What food causes the most cavities in kids? ›
Carbonated Beverages – Sodas are full of sugars that feed the bacteria that cause cavities. Chocolate Milk – Chocolate milk can have as much sugar as a can of soda. Fruit Juices – Not all fruit juices are made from natural fruit juice and can contain extra sugar to provide the sweetness kids love.
What candy do dentists hate the most? ›
Dr. Bartusiak said, “The worst candies are those that are highest in sugar and linger in the mouth. Some examples would be caramels, taffy, gummies, pixy sticks, and lollipops.” While some chocolate may seem more sumptuous, it dissolves faster, not staying on teeth.
What type of candy is less likely to cause dental caries? ›
Chocolate: Considered the best candy for teeth, chocolate easily washes off your teeth' surface. It doesn't stick around causing cavities or other types of tooth damage. Dark chocolate is the best type of chocolate for oral health as it contains less sugar.
Which candy is least bad for your teeth? ›
Sugarless Candy
Sugarless candies are among the best for your teeth because there are less acid and bacteria to attack your teeth. Candy with sugar creates acid that attacks your teeth and weakens the enamel in your teeth. A great option to reach for when you're craving candy is sugar-free Red Vines.
What candy does to kids teeth? ›
The real culprit in candy is the high sugar content. Certain types of bacteria that are present in your mouth can feed on sugar. These destructive bacteria then create acid that wears away tooth enamel. When enamel is weakened, your risk of developing decay increases.
Why do dentists buy back candy? ›
-Dentists send the candy to Move America Forward, Operation Shoebox or other Military support groups. -The dental teams use this opportunity to educate about the delicious candy alternatives that are sweetened with xylitol and actually good for teeth! Please tells us you know about Spry!
Are Starburst bad for your teeth? ›
Any type of sticky candy from AirHeads, to Starburst, to Now-n-Laters, will stay on the teeth longer, which lets bacteria thrive on the sugar and cause tooth decay. even dried fruit can cause problems.
What candy breaks teeth? ›
Jolly ranchers, peppermints, and lifesavers are all hard enough to crack a tooth or break a crown. And splinters from a shattered hard candy could get stuck between your teeth or scratch up your gums.
What is the healthiest hard candy? ›
If you prefer hard candy over chewy, grab a bag of Dr. John's hard candy. These sugar-free candies are tooth-friendly and a great choice for those with diabetes (as are these chocolate recipes you won't believe are diabetic-friendly). These candies are also allergy-friendly, so everyone can enjoy them.
First, candies with sugar substitutes can still cause tooth decay. This is often forgotten. Even with sugar-free candies, there is a lower risk of tooth decay, but the trade-off is that they are still harmful to teeth as they often contain high levels of acid!
What is the biggest contributor to cavities? ›
Not cleaning your teeth well, snacking a lot and sipping sugary drinks are the main causes of cavities. Cavities are areas in the hard surface of your teeth that are damaged. These areas of tooth decay become tiny openings or holes that can lead to a serious toothache, infection and tooth loss.
What candy sticks to your teeth the most? ›
While there are other sticky candies out there, some of the worst are as follows:
- Skittles.
- Twix.
- Tootsie Rolls.
- Swedish Fish or other gummy candies.
- Taffies.
- Caramels.
The short answer is no, in fact sugar itself does not cause cavities but instead cavities are caused by bacteria. The bacteria is created by sugar digestion and when that goes untreated can lead to not only cavities but also gum disease and possible loss of a tooth (teeth).
What food will give you cavities faster than candy? ›
Starchy foods like Chips can be worse than candy.
The AAPD went on to say: “The truth is that starches can lead to cavities just as sugars can, and caramels dissolve more quickly from the mouth than crackers… A cracker may be more figure-friendly, but it is not a teeth-friendly snack.”
