Introduction

Candy often takes the blame as the primary culprit behind cavities, especially for kids. But is it truly the villain we think it is? Dr. Jordan Harper sheds light on how candy affects teeth and reveals surprising facts about other everyday foods that can be just as damaging—or worse.

Is candy really the worst food for kids’ teeth?

While candy’s sugar content and stickiness make it a risk factor for cavities, it’s not the sole culprit. Other foods, such as potato chips, can be equally damaging because they break down into sugars that feed bacteria. Candy might get a bad rap, but the broader picture of cavity prevention involves understanding all dietary risks.

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Video Embed

Key Questions and Answers

Why is candy bad for teeth?
Candy’s high sugar content and stickiness cause sugar to linger on teeth, feeding cavity-causing bacteria.
Is candy the only food that leads to cavities?
No, other foods like potato chips, which break down into sugars, can be just as harmful.
Why are sticky candies worse than others?
Sticky candies stay on teeth longer, giving bacteria more time to feed and produce acid that erodes enamel.
What can parents do to minimize candy’s effects?
Encourage kids to brush their teeth or rinse with water after eating candy. Opt for less sticky options and limit overall sugar consumption.
Are there any surprising foods that harm teeth?
Yes, starchy foods like crackers and chips can be just as bad as candy because they convert to sugar in the mouth.

💡Related Post: The Real Cause of Cavities: How Bacteria and Acid Damage Teeth

Conclusion

Candy might not be as bad for teeth as its reputation suggests, but it’s still important to monitor sugar consumption and practice good oral hygiene. Teaching kids to rinse, brush, and floss after eating sugary or starchy foods can make a huge difference in preventing cavities.

Transcript

Candy. How bad is it for kids and their teeth? Candy is bad because of the sugar content and really sticky candies, really bad because the sugar lingers on the teeth, which the bacteria love. However, it's not as bad as most people think. Most people think it's the single cause of creating cavities and it's actually not.

There's a variety of, of other sugars like potato chips, which is a carbohydrate fancy word for sugar that exist, uh, that are equally as bad as candy. So candy gets a bad rap, but it's really a lot of other foods that are bad as well.