Good and Bad Candy
By Dr. Linda Niessen -- Baylor College of Dentistry STORY: GOOD AND BAD CANDY SCRIPT #529 SHOOT: 9/10, 10/8/03 AIRDATE: Monday, October 27, 2003 DHC Master#18 Timecode:33:35
Monday, October 27, 2003
Not all candy is created equal. Some types of sweets help dentists stay very busy. “It’s the sticky, gooey candy that always frightens us the most. If someone is going to shop for Halloween candy, I would suggest pure chocolate candy,” Dr. Bob Hunsucker said.
Any candy with caramel, taffy, or other sticky qualities can adhere to molars. Lollipops or candy that stay in the mouth a long time also has a higher risk of causing tooth decay. “Because the bacteria will use that as their food source and secret acid which causes cavities,” Hunsucker said.
So what are some good types of candy? You’ll be happy to hear that chocolate may actually promote good oral health. “Chocolate also has an antibacterial effect, and so that will counteract the high sugar content in chocolate,” Hunsucker said.
If you are going to give out candy, chocolate bars or chocolate kisses may be the best to give out at your door. Stay away from sticky candy, suckers, and jaw breakers when you shop for Halloween treats. “Because kids can crack teeth and break teeth on things like Jolly Ranchers and other hard candy like that,” Hunsucker said.
At my front door, I give out sugarless gum, which is even better than candy. And to a few special young neighbors, I give my favorite treat — a new toothbrush.
For Baylor College of Dentisty, The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center in Dallas, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen.
Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.
