These Halloween Treats Are Good For Your Teeth

No matter how old we get, one of the perks of Halloween will always be the excuse to eat more candy than we normally would. But are there any Halloween candies that are actually OK for your teeth? Because after all of the work you put into your pearly whites to make sure they stay healthy and bright, it would be a shame to wreak havoc with a little Halloween indulgence. So to find out if there are ways to have your candy and eat it too, I emailed with an expert.

Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Marc Lowenberg of Lowenberg, Lituchy, & Kantor, let me in on what types of candies you can feel a little less guilty about enjoying on Halloween. And while he does warn against certain types like chewy sweets and hard candies because they will stick to your teeth and take too long to dissolve, don't worry, there are still options other than going sugar-free. After all, just because decaying teeth look cool for Halloween doesn't mean they're actually any fun IRL. So you don't have to sacrifice your sweet tooth for, well, your teeth, here are four types of candy that won't cause cavities and can even help fight them this Halloween:

1. Gum

If there's Xylitol in sugarless gum or candy, it could actually be good for your teeth, says Dr. Lowenberg. This is because it "[reduces] the acids produced by bacteria and [increases] the salivary fluids that rinse away excess sugars and acids," he explains. Therefore, gum or candy with Xylitol can actually help prevent cavities.

2. Powder Candy

Powdery candy such as Fun Dip, Pixy Stix, and cotton candy can be OK as long as they don't come in contact with your teeth. Because they all dissolve quickly, if you pour or place the candy directly on your tongue, it likely won't cause any cavities, says Dr. Lowenberg.

3. Chocolate

Chocolate fiends, you're in luck. According to Dr. Lowenberg, dark chocolate especially "contains cocoa which inhibits the growth of the bacteria that is responsible for the creation of plaque."

4. Candy with Nuts

But if you love your gooey, candy bars, Dr. Lowenberg recommends sticking with the kinds that have nuts. He explains that not only do nuts help break up the stickiness (which is what increases your chance of getting a cavity), but they can also help break up some of the biofilm on the teeth. In this way, nuts in your candy can mitigate the side effects, and help keep your teeth clean and healthy.

So go ahead and indulge. If you stick with these treats (and don't make these common dental hygiene mistakes), your teeth will be OK.

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