While sweet treats are integral to celebrating Halloween, a steady flow of sugar in the days to follow can compromise your oral health. However, this doesn't mean you have to miss out on all the fun as long as you balance it with proper oral care and discretion. Here is a guide to the effects of candy on teeth and why you should schedule an appointment with your dentist after the holiday.

How Halloween Candy Affects Your Teeth 

1. Sticky Gummy Candy 

Whether it's in the shape of bears, worms or fruit, gummy candy is far less harmless than it seems. Because of its viscous nature, pieces of your sweets can end up getting stuck in and on your teeth. This gives the sugar more time to do damage in your mouth. Sour gummy candy can be especially harmful because of the abundance of acidity, which can damage enamel, making teeth more susceptible to cavities.

2. Chocolate 

Chocolate is one of the most popular candy options to give away on All Hallows' Eve. Fortunately, it's one of the least worrisome for your oral health. Chocolate easily washes off your teeth using the saliva in your mouth. Additionally, dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate or other candies.

3. Hard Candy 

Although hard candy doesn't stick to your teeth, it can break them. If you bite down on a particularly hard piece, you can chip or fracture your tooth, breaking off enamel and exposing the soft dentin. Even something you don't bite down on, like a sucker, can do some damage. Hard candies that you suck on for longer periods of time increase the length of sugar exposure, giving it more time to cause decay. 

For quality family and cosmetic dentists, residents in Hamilton, OH, choose Charles P. Debbane, DDS. This practice specializes in preventative care to ensure all of its patients maintain a healthy smile. Using digital X-rays and an intra-oral camera, every check-up is thorough and effective. From topical fluoride application, tooth extraction and sealants to dental veneers, Invisalign®, and teeth whitening, these dentists have your oral health covered. To learn more about their services, visit the website. To schedule an appointment with a dentist, call (513) 887-6654.