In a time in American history when most people are on a pretty strict budget, the average household will still spend around $44 on Halloween candy. Is your house already overflowing with lollipops, bubblegum, gummies of all shapes and sizes, and, of course, chocolate? As delicious as candy can be, excessive sugar consumption can be a contributor to cavities. The bacteria that cause tooth decay enjoy sugar as much as a trick-or-treating first grader. The problem is bacteria can metabolize sugar into lactic acid, wearing down your tooth enamel. Still, we don’t want to spoil the fun, so your Greenfield dentists, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, want to share some fun facts about candy, as long as you promise to keep up with brushing and flossing during this tempting time of year.
Chocolate Can Actually Be Good for Your Teeth
You’ve probably heard reports that chocolate can be good for your heart, in moderation, but good for your teeth? Theobromine is a compound in the cocoa bean, which has been shown to actually harden tooth enamel. According to the American Dental Hygienist’s Association (ADA) chocolate can inhibit Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that cause cavities. Of course, if you want to enjoy chocolate for dental and overall health benefits, the darker, plain forms of chocolate are your best choices.
Other Interesting Candy Facts
- An astonishing 600 million pounds of candy is purchased for Halloween each year in the US.
- Candy Corn is the most purchased candy in the United States in terms of weight, at 20 million pounds bought each year. However, our old friend chocolate is the preferred choice for many people. Out of $1.9 billion sold in Halloween candy each year, $1.2 billion went to chocolate varieties.
- The state of Colorado has the distinction of being responsible for the most internet searches for organic candy. Other interesting search engine statistics: Oregon has the most interest in gluten-free candy, and Kentucky implemented the most searches for sugar-free treats.
Dental Checkups for the Whole Family with Your Greenfield Dentists
For over 40 years, Drs. Bagley, Goodwin, & Hrinda have been providing comprehensive dentistry to patients of the Pioneer Valley and Franklin County. If you are in need of any of our preventive or cosmetic dentistry, or you have anxiety about going to the dentist, contact our 01301 dentist office by calling 413-772-0842. We are happy to serve patients in the Western region of Massachusetts, close to the surrounding states of CT, NH, VT, and NY.