10/25/2024
The reason sugar is so dangerous for our oral health is that harmful oral bacteria love eating it as much as we do, and then they excrete acid onto our teeth. Tooth enamel might be the strongest substance in the human body, but even weak acids can erode it, which is why dentists encourage us to avoid sour, sticky, and hard Halloween candy.
Hard candy is like a slow-release sugar delivery system for all that bacteria, keeping them active for a long period of time. Sticky candy is a problem because it puts the sugar directly against our teeth and gums. Sour candy contains plenty of its own acid, so that's like cutting out the middleman!
What Halloween treats are left? Chocolate is a pretty good option! It contains compounds that slow tooth decay, limit oral bacteria, and fight bad breath. However, these polyphenols and flavonoids don't outweigh the effects of sugar, which is why dentists are bigger fans of dark chocolate than milk chocolate.
Any candy sweetened by xylitol instead of sugar is definitely better for teeth. Xylitol actually hurts oral bacteria. These candies aren't super common in 2024, but hopefully that will change!
