PHOENIX — Chewy and sour candies are the Halloween treats most likely to haunt your teeth, a Valleywise Health dentist told ABC15.
Dr. Christopher Brendemuhl, chair of the Department of Dentistry at Valleywise Health, said one of the biggest factors in how candy affects teeth is how often it is eaten throughout the day.
Chewy sweets stick to teeth, while sour candies are acidic and can contribute to enamel erosion, Brendemuhl said.
Rather than snacking all day, he suggests having candy with a meal or as dessert, and making it an occasional treat. Drinking water afterward and swishing it around the mouth also helps.
A solid routine reduces the risk of damage, he said: use fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly and see a dentist once or twice a year. Brushing after eating sweets can also help.
That does not mean giving up favorite treats entirely, Brendemuhl said, but a few habits can keep smiles healthy long after Halloween.
Sources: ABC15. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Eric Haynes for the Office of the Governor of Massachusetts / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
