The Worst Candy for Your Child’s Teeth
We’d like to start off by stating the obvious: no candy is actually good for your child’s teeth. While some are better than others, it’s important to be careful about the kind of candy you let your children eat. Most candies contain high amounts of sugar. This sugar actually feeds harmful bacteria in your child’s mouth – bacteria that produces plaque. If teeth are not adequately taken care of (brushed, flossed, etc.), plaque can easily build up and begin to decay teeth. Tooth decay that is left untreated by a dentist can cause serious damage to your child’s oral health, causing conditions such as gum disease.
Hard Candy
Hard candies usually take a while to dissolve, giving the sugar more time to collect on the teeth. Especially if children chew the hard candy, pieces can become wedged in the teeth, causing further damage. The Culprits: Lollipops (Tootsie Pops), Jolly Ranchers, Jaw Breakers, etc.
Sticky/Chewy Candy
Candies that are sticky or chewy are sisters to hard candies. Particles of the candy can easily linger on the teeth, creating more plaque faster. This is unfortunate since chewy candies are often kids’ favorites. The Culprits: Gummy Bears/Worms, Taffy, Jelly Beans, Candy Corn, Snickers, etc.
Sour Candy
Candy that is sour uses a whole new tactic to ruin your child’s smile. Since they are made of sugar, they still feed bacteria but in addition to that, they often contain an acidic element – to make them sour. Acid erodes enamel on teeth – the protective coating around each tooth – making them more susceptible to decay. The Culprits: Sour Patch Kids, WarHeads, Sour Skittles, etc.
Contact our office to make sure cavities don’t say BOO in your kids smile!