I know, I know…it’s a childhood staple of our society, but I have some bad news for you: lollipops are horrible for your teeth for many reasons.
Even though virtually no candy is considered healthy, especially for our teeth, some are worse for our teeth than others, and there are few as bad for our oral health as a lollipop. Sugary, sticky, and chewy candies are at the top of the dentist’s no-no list. Hard candies are also on the candy naughty list for teeth because they are typically high in sugar AND stay in your mouth longer.
Thinking about sour pops as a safe alternative…think again! These suckers are typically also high in acid which is also an enamel no-no.
If you ask most dentists, they will tell you that the best candy for your teeth is no candy due to the high sugar content and other properties that make it a nightmare for your teeth. However, that’s no fun and it’s not like most people are going to completely refrain from candy their entire lives!
So here is a grouping of candies that are less damaging to your teeth and can be enjoyed in moderation with a gentle reminder to always brush and floss regularly, especially after having sweets.
Dark Chocolate: dark chocolate is possibly the best candy for teeth. Dark chocolate washes off the teeth relatively easily, which means it doesn’t typically stick around by itself to cause cavities. Dark chocolate since it contains less sugar. Some studies have even found that dark chocolate has compounds that can help harden tooth enamel and provide plaque-fighting benefits!
Sugar-free Candy: Sugar is not good for your oral health because it stimulates bacteria growth in the mouth. Sugar-free candy is possibly a good alternative in small amounts. Sugar-free hard candies also stimulate saliva production which can have a positive effect on dental health because it washes the mouth of bacteria and plaque that cause tooth problems. However, many sugar-free candies on the market contain chemical sugar substitutes that are bad for other aspects of your health, so be wary of consuming large amounts of these.
Candy with Nuts: When candy sticks to your teeth, cavities are more likely to develop. Having nuts in candy breaks up that stickiness a bit, thus decreasing the chance of cavities forming. The crunch of the nuts can also help to break up some of the plaque on your teeth. Additionally, nuts contain protein and fiber, which are great for your overall health.
Another Tip for Oral Health after Candy Consumption
Another tip is to chew sugar-free gum afterwards to increase saliva more to help wash away some of the sugar, eating a crunchy vegetable such as celery, snap peas, or bell peppers if you cannot brush or floss within an hour. These will not take away all of the sugars and acids produced by the sugars but can help.
And, as always, remember to brush and floss regularly.