We all know that most everything is more expensive than it used to be, but not all prices have risen at the same rate. Over the past year, for instance, meat, fish, and egg prices have risen almost 4%, while produce prices rose by less than 1%.
Then there’s chocolate. Since January, the price of “chocolate and confectionery manufacturing from cocoa” has gone up 45%. It’s up more than 90% since January 2022.
This, the Washington Post recently reported, is a big reason why trend-watchers expect things like gummies and sour candies to be given much more often to trick-or-treaters this year. Younger consumers, the article notes, also tend to prefer those kinds of sweets.
But you know who doesn’t? Dentists. And for good reason.
For one, gummies and sour candies are both highly acidic. Anything with a pH below 5.5 will damage tooth enamel, raising the risk of decay. Sour candies tend to have a pH between 2 and 3; gummies, between 3 and 4.
And here’s the thing with tooth enamel: Once it’s wrecked, there’s no getting it back. You just don’t have the cells needed to make new enamel once your teeth have fully developed.
The other big problem is that sticky candies like gummies and caramels tend to cling to teeth. Bits can get stuck between teeth and in crevices, as well. The longer they’re in contact with the teeth, the more time harmful bacteria get to feast on the sugar, raising the risk of decay and gum disease.
Chocolate, on the other hand, isn’t so acidic and doesn’t stick so much. Even better, dark chocolate contains compounds such as theobromine that may actually help protect teeth. (In fact, theobromine is the active ingredient in one of our favorite toothpastes, Theodent.)
That said, there’s another trend worth paying attention to this Halloween, and that’s the increasing popularity of non-candy treats. It certainly makes trick-or-treating a lot easier for kids with food restrictions due to allergies or other reasons. Things like stickers and temporary tattoos, glow sticks, bubbles, and other small, fun items can make fantastic treats!
For despite what some older naysayers seem to think, most kids love having this option or getting something different!
Still, your kids will likely still have a significant candy haul to manage (not to mention adults who may be tempted by their own candy bowl). Here are a few tips to keep smiles from looking like those of the jack-o-lanterns decorating your neighborhood:
- Don’t let your kids graze on candy throughout the day. Store it out of sight – or at least outside of easy reach.
- Limit candy consumption to a few pieces per day, ideally after meals.
- Encourage your kids to drink water afterwards to help rinse away sugar and neutralize acids.
- Consider giving them sugar-free, xylitol-sweetened gum to chew after eating candy to stimulate saliva production. Xylitol has been shown to protect against decay.
- Don’t have them brush their teeth right away. Have them wait 20 to 30 minutes – enough time for the acids to be neutralized.
- Donate at least some of the excess candy to reduce temptation. (You’ll find some places to donate here.)
- Schedule a post-Halloween dental check-up to ensure good oral health.
