Christmas Candies Bad For Teeth

Candy

Caramel, gummy, and candy can all have a negative impact on your teeth. The sugar can feed bacteria that cause cavities. Additionally, some candies can be hard enough to damage your teeth. Hard candies can crack or even break your teeth.

Caramel

Caramel is a popular Christmas candy favorite, but it’s actually very bad for teeth. The sticky substance coats teeth, and the sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth. When bacteria feed on sugar, they create acid that erodes tooth enamel.

In addition to caramel, other types of candies like hard candy canes and chocolate are dangerous for teeth.

Hard Candy

Hard candies can crack your teeth, and even break them, if you don’t pay attention to your bite. Hard candies also stay in your mouth for a long time, and because they are sticky, they can stick to your teeth for a long time. Once the hard candy is removed from your teeth, it can leave behind a residue that bacteria will feed on, increasing the risk for cavities.

Taffy

As hard as it may be to pass up this sticky treat, do your best to avoid it. Taffy tends to be extremely sticky, and can linger in your mouth for a long time. If you’re planning to enjoy these delicious treats, rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth to wash away the sugars and stickiness.

Sour Candy

Sour gummy candies are notorious teeth wreckers. They are sticky and tend to linger on the mouth longer than other types of candy, allowing acid levels to skyrocket and break down the enamel. The sugar in these types of candy can create additional plaque buildup, causing cavities and tooth decay.

Chocolate

While sweets are fun to eat, they can cause tooth decay. Holiday treats, like candy canes and chocolate, can be even worse for your teeth because they contain both sugars and sticky substances that cling to your teeth.

Sticky Candy

Whether they’re candy canes, caramels, or hard candies, sticky treats are terrible for teeth. Sticky candies stick to teeth, and the longer they sit in the mouth, the more harmful acids and sugars they contain can erode tooth enamel.

Sticky candies can get stuck in hard-to-reach places, increasing the amount of time that sugars are in contact with teeth.