Not all sweets are equally scary for smiles. Here’s how popular treats stack up, and where families can find dental care year-round.
PHOENIX, Ariz. — Valleywise Health Director of Dentistry, Dr. Christopher Brendemuhl, is helping families choose wisely this Halloween with a simple ranking of popular candy, from least to most damaging. While an occasional treat is part of the fun, some candies are much harder on teeth than others.
“Halloween doesn’t have to be a nightmare for your teeth,” said Christopher Brendemuhl, DMD, Valleywise Health. “What matters most is how long sugar stays in contact with your teeth. Candy that melts away quickly is far less harmful than candy that sticks to teeth or lingers in the mouth for a long time.”
Halloween Candy Ranked: Least to Most Damaging
- Sugar-free gum – The best choice. It boosts saliva, which helps rinse away food particles and fight cavities.
- Dark chocolate – Washes off teeth easily and has less sugar than milk chocolate.
- Plain milk chocolate – A close runner-up, as long as it’s free of caramel, nougat or other sticky fillings.
- Candy corn – Its sticky sugar clings to teeth long after the last bite.
- Gummy candy – Gets stuck on and between teeth, feeding cavity-causing bacteria for hours.
- Caramels and toffee – Extra sticky, and chewy enough to pull out fillings.
- Lollipops – Designed to be enjoyed slowly, they bathe teeth in sugar for long stretches.
- Jawbreakers – Long-lasting sugar exposure plus a real risk of cracked or chipped teeth.
- Sour candies – The scariest of all. They combine acid that wears down enamel with a heavy dose of sugar.
“You don’t have to skip the fun,” Dr. Brendemuhl added. “Enjoy candy with a meal instead of grazing all day, drink water afterward and make sure kids brush and floss before bed. And if it’s been a while since your family’s last checkup, Halloween is a great reminder to schedule one.”
Valleywise Health provides dental care for patients of all ages, from first teeth through adulthood, at Valleywise Community Health Centers in Phoenix, Chandler, Peoria and Avondale. Services include exams and cleanings, digital X-rays, fluoride and sealants, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, simple extractions, and care for toothaches and dental emergencies, with walk-in emergency visits available at the Valleywise Comprehensive Health Center – Phoenix.
To book a dental appointment, call 1-833-855-9973 or visit ValleywiseHealth.org/services/dental.