Which Halloween Candy is Best to Eat?

Halloween is quickly approaching, and your child is likely craving all the sweet treats they’ll receive while trick-or-treating. While the events of this spooky holiday are fun and exciting for both children and adults, the frightening reality is the overabundance of sugar can lead to tooth decay and cavities after Halloween. If you want to keep your little one from developing a painful toothache, learn which candies are best for them to eat and which ones they should stay away from.

The Dangers of Too Much Sugar

Everyone knows that candy is one of the worst possible foods your children can consume. Why? Because it is filled with sugar that leads to bad bacteria and harmful acids eating away at their tooth enamel. Over time, if it is left on the surface of their teeth too long, it can form small holes known as cavities. While tooth-colored fillings can help to treat these problems, plaque and tartar can spread quickly, entering into the dentin layer and requiring a dental crown to support the tooth’s structure. And let’s not even think about the possibility of your child needing pulp therapy or a tooth removed because of severe decay!

Yes, Halloween is a fun event that has children going door-to-door to receive taste treats and exciting toys. But before you let them dig in (in moderation), you should know which candies are safest to eat and those that need to be donated or thrown out.

Best Halloween Candy

The best candy your child can receive is chocolate. If this comes as a surprise, just wait. Not only is it popular, which means they will probably get a lot of it, but it’s also much easier to wash off their teeth. When it comes to brushing and flossing before bed, chocolate can be easily removed, making it less likely that bad bacteria will remain on their tooth enamel, causing problems overnight.

If your child enjoys dark chocolate, this is an even greater reality because it contains less sugar than other varieties.

Of course, the best type of treat your child can receive is toys. Whether it’s stickers, googly eyes, vampire teeth, bubbles, activity pads, or even stamps, these don’t require consumption and can still keep your kids busy and having fun.

Worst Halloween Candy

Unfortunately, chocolate isn’t the only candy that is passed out on Halloween. If you find any of these in your child’s bucket or bag, you might let them choose a few to keep and eat in moderation. Otherwise, it’s best to donate them to a local charity:

• Hard candies because of how easy it is to crack or chip a tooth
• Sticky and gummy candies because of how easy it is for them to remain on the chewing surfaces
• Sour candies because of the high acidity that can eat away at their tooth enamel
• Popcorn balls because of their sticky consistency and ability for kernels to get stuck between your child’s teeth

If you want additional tips from a children’s dentist in Coppell before the big night, don’t hesitate to reach out. This will ensure your little one maintains a healthy smile this time of year while still enjoying the festivities.

About the Author
Dr. Melissa Rozas is a children’s dentist in Coppell who completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. After finishing her pediatric dental residency at UT/Herman Hospital, she became board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She and her team believe in providing transparent and valuable tips to parents when it comes to helping children get ready for their adult teeth. If you need help determining how to safely remove your child’s loose teeth, contact us at (972) 433-7516.