Halloween is right around the corner and for many of us, that means lots of lollies! We all know that Lollies aren't good for our teeth, but did you know that some kinds are worse than others? And what if you've got braces? Can you still go Trick-or-Treating?
yee
Hard Lollies
These are bad for your teeth because they stay in your mouth for long periods of time slowly releasing sugar which leads to decay and as the sugar loiters in the mouth, it sticks to the teeth giving bacteria a nice place to settle down, causing further decay. They can also break and chip teeth, resulting in an emergency dentist visit.
Gummy Lollies
As enjoyable as these are (lets face it, who doesn't enjoy a gummy bear or a jelly baby?) they too, are terrible for your teeth. Bits of the lolly get stuck in the crevices of and in between your teeth, causing sugar to stay longer in your mouth and leading to decay.
Caramels
Just like gummies, these stick to your teeth and mouth holding the sugar there and encouraging decay to start.
Nuts, Popcorn and Hard Pretzels
These are mostly fine for your average Trick-or-Treater. However, if they have braces these can be a major issue, causing brackets to fall off and (speaking as someone who had braces as a child) can be very painful to eat, especially if you just got your wires adjusted!
yee
Hard Lollies
These are bad for your teeth because they stay in your mouth for long periods of time slowly releasing sugar which leads to decay and as the sugar loiters in the mouth, it sticks to the teeth giving bacteria a nice place to settle down, causing further decay. They can also break and chip teeth, resulting in an emergency dentist visit.
Gummy Lollies
As enjoyable as these are (lets face it, who doesn't enjoy a gummy bear or a jelly baby?) they too, are terrible for your teeth. Bits of the lolly get stuck in the crevices of and in between your teeth, causing sugar to stay longer in your mouth and leading to decay.
Caramels
Just like gummies, these stick to your teeth and mouth holding the sugar there and encouraging decay to start.
Nuts, Popcorn and Hard Pretzels
These are mostly fine for your average Trick-or-Treater. However, if they have braces these can be a major issue, causing brackets to fall off and (speaking as someone who had braces as a child) can be very painful to eat, especially if you just got your wires adjusted!
Chewing Gum
This is a tricky one! Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva glands to produce more saliva which washes away acid in the mouth. Chewing gum with sugar however, also adds sugar to the mouth, which can cause decay. Sugar free gum does not have this issue, especially if it contains Xylitol which assists in reducing acid in the mouth. It's not all good though, gum is terrible for you if you have braces! Sticking to brackets and wires, pulling off brackets, dislodging wires. Gum is a horrible idea if you have braces, best to wait till you get them off to enjoy (and with the faster orthodontic treatments available these days, the whole procedure could take as little as 3 months!).
Chocolate
The best option for your Trick-Treat lollies! Chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth, leaving less sugar sticking to teeth to cause cavities. As long as there's no caramel, nuts or really anything else in it (so we're talking just plain chocolate) there's nothing to break teeth, or remove braces or stick in between teeth. Chocolate also contains calcium which will help strengthen teeth, but remember, everything in moderation!
This is a tricky one! Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva glands to produce more saliva which washes away acid in the mouth. Chewing gum with sugar however, also adds sugar to the mouth, which can cause decay. Sugar free gum does not have this issue, especially if it contains Xylitol which assists in reducing acid in the mouth. It's not all good though, gum is terrible for you if you have braces! Sticking to brackets and wires, pulling off brackets, dislodging wires. Gum is a horrible idea if you have braces, best to wait till you get them off to enjoy (and with the faster orthodontic treatments available these days, the whole procedure could take as little as 3 months!).
Chocolate
The best option for your Trick-Treat lollies! Chocolate dissolves quickly in the mouth, leaving less sugar sticking to teeth to cause cavities. As long as there's no caramel, nuts or really anything else in it (so we're talking just plain chocolate) there's nothing to break teeth, or remove braces or stick in between teeth. Chocolate also contains calcium which will help strengthen teeth, but remember, everything in moderation!
Why Would My Dentist Be Ok With Me Eating Lollies?
The lollies are an important part of Halloween (if you ask most people it's the ONLY part of Halloween) so we want you to be able to enjoy yourself and take part. We do however have some tips on how to prevent Halloween-induced cavities.
The lollies are an important part of Halloween (if you ask most people it's the ONLY part of Halloween) so we want you to be able to enjoy yourself and take part. We do however have some tips on how to prevent Halloween-induced cavities.
- Don't go crazy with the lollies! In moderation it's fine every once in a while, but don't eat all your Halloween haul in one go!
- Try to eat your lollies straight after a meal (kind of like dessert). Because you've already been eating, your saliva will be in full swing and will be able to wash away the sugars and acids faster.
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating the lollies to assist in washing away the sugars and acids.
- If you experience any sensitivity, pain or chip a tooth book yourself in for a check. The sooner we find it, the sooner it can be fixed and your discomfort will be over.