What Are The Best Candies For Your Child’s Teeth

Although outright restricting your kid from having candy is all but impossible, some sweets might do a little less damage to the teeth than others.

Schedule an Appointment – Call (314) 862-7844

With Halloween fast approaching, you can be sure your kids will be gorging themselves with bags and bags of candy. Unfortunately, the candy feast could lead to expensive and uncomfortable visits to the dentist if you aren’t careful. This is because candy contains tons of sugar, and the bacteria in the teeth love it.

When the bacteria in the teeth digest sugar, they excrete acids that erode the enamel as a byproduct. This corrosion is what eventually leads to the formation of cavities. Although outright restricting your kid from having candy is all but impossible, some sweets might do a little less damage to the teeth than others.

Excellent

The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

Based on 108 reviews

See all reviews

review us on

Whitney S.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr. Thoms. My 7-year-old, who has autism, recently had dental work done here and the experience exceeded expectations. The staff was incredibly kind, patient, and understanding of his needs. They took the time to make him and us feel comfortable, never rushed, and explained everything. I am so grateful for this office and the team that made my son's dental care possible. I would recommend The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr Thoms to any parent, especially those with children who have special needs. They truly go above and beyond. ❤️

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words! We’re truly grateful for your trust in our team and Dr. Thoms. Knowing your visit was a positive and comfortable experience means the world to us — it’s exactly what we strive for with every patient and family. 💙

Joy H.

Very patient with elderly patients. Very good experience.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re pleased to know the visit was a positive experience.

Carla B.

My son has been a patient of Dr Michael Hoffman since he was 5 years old. He is now 21 years old. My son has diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and therefore I am cautious of who I select as a treatment provider. Dr. Hoffman’s office is professional, kind and I know they have his best interest at heart. I highly recommend Dr. Hoffman and staff to anyone seeking dental care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We truly appreciate your trust in our team over the years.

Paul

Super experience. Gentle and empathetic. All round care is great. Staff are wonderful.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad you had a great experience with our team.

Nancy S.

We are forever grateful for Dr Hoffman and his wonderful staff for having the vision of how to get necessary dental work done for patients who are dealing with autism and cannot tolerate it without dental anesthesia. We have been taking our adult daughter there once a year for the last four years. Thanks to Dr Hoffman’s vast knowledge and expertise, our daughter has been able to get wisdom teeth removed, cavities filled, teeth cleaned and detailed X-rays to know exactly what needed done. The Dental Anesthesia Center is a great service to the community. Thank you so much for helping us.

Response from the owner:hank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words about our team! We truly appreciate your trust in us and are honored to provide care in a way that helps make dental treatment more comfortable and accessible for all patients. Your feedback means a great deal to our entire staff.

Chocolates

Chocolates are probably the best candies for oral health. Chocolates don’t stick onto the surfaces of the teeth and easily wash away. This is great since it makes the formation of plaque quite tricky.

Plaque is a mixture of food material and bacteria that cause cavity formation; no plaque equals no cavities. If your kid is a sucker for chocolates, it is best to go for a bar of darker chocolate with less sugar in it. Likewise, it would be best to avoid chocolates with nougat or caramel; these sticky substances get stuck on the surfaces of the teeth forming plaque.

Sugar-Free Candy

Sugar is the bane of dental health; sugar stimulates the rapid increase in cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth. So having sugar-free candy is a good bet for your kid’s teeth. But there are caveats; some of the sugar substitutes used in the production of the candy can cause health issues.

Some sugar substitutes like Aspartame and Acesulfame potassium have links to cases of cancer and other gastrointestinal problems. You should avoid such sugar alternatives at all costs. On the other hand, sugar alternatives like Xylitol are beneficial to oral health since they reduce plaque build-up in the mouth.

Candy With Nuts

Nuts are a great source of protein and fiber, so they are great for your child’s health in general. In candy, they serve the critical role of preventing plaque build-up by breaking up the sticky surface of the sweet, so less of it sticks to the teeth. The crunchiness also rubs of any plaque that was on the teeth already. If your kid has braces, you should be cautious about letting them have any candy with nuts because they might damage their braces.

Remember: Whatever candy alternative you choose, it should always be at the back of your mind that these are still candies, and they can still harm your child’s oral health. Candy, no matter the type, should be taken in moderation.

Contact the Dental Anesthesia Center today!

Whether it’s you or your kid that needs dental care, we’ve got you covered. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding dental care and can help your family keep their oral health at its best. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.