Ready to be spooked?
Almost all Halloween candies bring horror to your teeth, dentists are declaring.
As more than 73 million trick-or-treaters prepare their costumes ahead of the spooktacular holiday, experts are warning parents about all of the confections putting their kids’ pearly whites most at risk.
Beverly Hills board-certified dentist Dr. Kevin Sands told Fox News that hard, sour, chewy, gummy, sticky candies can be damaging — and even sugar-free options may not pass muster.
According to Sands, sweets like Jolly Ranchers and Life Savers could chip or crack teeth if bitten down on.
Meanwhile, their “prolonged presence” in kids’ mouths “provides bacteria with a long sugar feast” that could result in cavities.
Meanwhile, caramels, nougat and toffee are also confectionary no-nos.
“Their sticky nature means they often get lodged in the nooks and crannies of the teeth, making them difficult to remove even after brushing,” Sands explained of candies like Laffy Taffy. “These sugar residues can promote bacteria growth and tooth decay.”
Lip-puckering sours such as Sour Patch Kids and Trolli Crawlers are also popular Halloween candies, but the addictive zing of the acid can break down tooth enamel.
“Many sour candies have a pH level dangerously close to battery acid,” Sands warned. “Continual exposure to such acidity can cause the enamel to break down, leading to sensitivity and other dental issues.”
If sugar breeds bacteria, sugar-free candies might seem like the better choice — but Sands says the citric acid they are often made with also has a detrimental effect on enamel.
While the grim news is a bit of a killjoy, not all Halloween treats are off-limits.
Chocolate, for one, is a smile-friendly option.
It dissolves quickly and is less likely to get stuck on or between teeth,” Sands said. “In particular, dark chocolate, with its reduced sugar content and rich antioxidants, can be a more tooth-friendly treat.”
Powdered candy — think: Pixie Sticks or Fun Dip — dissolves quickly and isn’t tacky on the teeth, similar to Smarties, which are also a safe bet.
Sands also recommended single-serving popcorn packets, nuts and yogurt-covered raisins as healthier alternatives to the sugar-packed sweet treats often given away on Halloween. Substituting edible goods for items like toys is also an option.
“Encourage children to consume treats in moderation and maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing after consuming any type of candy,” he said.
But not all parents are willing to limit their child’s candy consumption.
Last year, mom-of-five Sarah Jedd previously told The Post that she received flack online after revealing she lets her kids gorge on their sweet hand-outs.
“This has always been our method. I feel like kids are naturally intuitive eaters, so they will figure out what is good for them,” the University of Wisconsin professor said, adding that her parenting style differs from that of her friends.
Registered dietician nutritionist Carol Danaher, of the Ellyn Satter Institute, argued that parents need to trust their children’s intuition on how much they need to eat.
“If they are restricted from sweet food or there’s guilt around them, the child will crave them more and they won’t have their natural limits,” Danaher previously told The Post.
