Let’s face it, Halloween candies are delicious.
Wearing costumes, embracing everything scary, and going around collecting candy from friends and neighbors are the highlights of Halloween.
Enjoying a bag full of tasty treats during Halloween is a wonderful experience for many, but it comes at a heavy price.
Dental health experts have pointed out that our oral health suffers when we consume large amounts of candy regularly. A report from reputable dental experts has shown that 35% of Americans have experienced dental issues linked to candy consumption.
Protecting your oral health doesn’t necessarily mean not eating candy. Rather it means being selective when choosing candy and not consuming it frequently. So it is totally okay to eat a piece of candy every now and then.
This article will shed light on some of the effects Halloween candy can have on your teeth.
How Halloween Candies Affect Your Teeth
Tooth pain
Candy can damage the teeth and cause mild to severe tooth pain. As you know, some candies on the market are hard. Biting them may crack your teeth. A cracked tooth is very painful as the nerves in it are now exposed.
Sensitivity
If after eating candy you don’t brush with prepasted toothbrushes or a regular toothbrush, the activity of the bacteria in your mouth is going to increase rapidly. The bacteria are going to feed on the remains of the candy in your mouth. Their activity will increase the acidity of your mouth.
When this happens, your teeth are going to suffer. You see, the enamel on your teeth is going to wear away because of the acidity.
This may make them more sensitive and prone to other dental health issues like tooth decay.
Gum infection
Gum infection is another issue linked to the consumption of candy. When you consume candy and don’t brush properly and floss, you may not be able to remove pieces of candy stuck under hard-to-reach areas of your teeth.
These remains are ultimately going to cause periodontal abscesses and other oral infections.
Halloween Candies can Chip or Crack your Tooth
The last thing you want during Halloween is for your teeth to be chipped or cracked. Eating hard candy can easily crack your teeth. Most people don’t take action even when their teeth are chipped or cracked especially if they don’t feel pain.
The chipped area may start hurting after a couple of weeks or months. The pain is a result of a cavity that has formed in the area. Nerve exposure could also be the cause of the pain.
Jaw discomfort
Chewing hard candy can put a measure of stress on your jaws. As you keep biting and chewing, your jaw region may become inflamed and irritated. Pain will follow.
Trying to consume too much candy at a go may make you open your jaw too wide. This can cause discomfort and may put pressure on the temporomandibular joints.
Halloween candies you should avoid or consume a small amount
Of course, you have the freedom to consume any type of candy during Halloween. But if you want to protect your oral health you should avoid or consume a small quantity of the ones listed below.
- Snickers
- Taffy
- Jawbreaker
- Starburst
- Caramels
- Milk duds
- Jolly rancher
- Atomic fireball
- Airheads
- Jelly beans
The main issue with the above candies is that they are difficult to remove from the teeth. This means that even if you brush with a bamboo toothbrush or prepasted toothbrushes, you may not be able to get all of them out. The longer they linger in your mouth, the more damage they cause to your teeth.
Final note
Protecting your teeth during Halloween should be at the top of your priorities. Resist the urge to go all out and eat way too much candy. It is best to eat candy and other delicious treats while eating your meals, as your mouth will be producing more saliva. Saliva can help break down foods and even clean your mouth. Be sure to avoid hard and sticky candy, as they can crack your teeth.