Have you ever wondered if some candy is better for your teeth than others? Well Dr. Joy Lunan is here to tell you that not all sugar is created equal. Some candies are less damaging to those pearlies than others. 

As a dentist I have to first say that no candy is the best candy, but we all like to treat ourselves with a sweet every now and then. Am I right? Luckily, not all sugar is created equal and the next time you indulge you can be prepared.   

Dark chocolate is the best candy for your teeth hands down. There is actually a compound in chocolate that helps harden tooth enamel. Coumpounds in the cocoa beans also contain an antibacterial effect that helps fight plaque. 

Sugarless gum and candies are worth a try. When we eat sugar it feeds the bacteria that we have in our mouths and upsets our healthy ratios of PH and bacteria levels. So as a second best, try sugarless instead.

Candy bars that contain nuts can help break up the stickiness of a candy. The sticky parts of candy are what causes cavities because it sticks to our teeth and sits. Nuts can also break up the biofilm on our teeth.

Therefore, as I said, anything sticky is really not a good choice. The stickier they are, the worse they are for your teeth. Dried fruit is also in the same boat here due to its sticky texture and sugar content. Real fruit is always best.

Sucking drops or lollipops are a bad choice because we tend to suck on them. If you chew them up and are done that’s another thing. It’s that when we suck on them the sugar is constantly present in our mouths for a longer period of time. That exposure increase chances of getting tooth decay. 

Try to avoid gummy worms as they are the most acidic candies. Anything too acidic will wear down your tooth enamel. If the enamel is weaken you open yourself up to breaking your teeth or tooth sensitivity.

You can always try baking your own sweet treats instead as an option. 

If you’d like an evaluation and a professional dental cleaning after celebrating National Candy Month this June call Dr. Joy Lunan. She is always accepting new patients and would be happy to help you and your family keep your smiles healthy.      203-598-7920       www.middleburydentist.com        Click here for our reviews.