True, they have extensive training and are certainly experts in their industries. But medical pros are human too. Dietitians eat fast food. Personal trainers sometimes have to give themselves pep talks to exercise. And dentists eat Halloween candy.

"I absolutely do enjoy candy on Halloween! I have a weakness for Tootsie Rolls and mini Twix bars," admits Talar Guldalian, DMD, a dentist and prosthodontist, and the owner of Nova Dental Office in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Alice Hoang, DMD, a general dentist and the founder of Brooklyn Mint Dental in Brooklyn, New York, says that she can’t arrive home from taking her daughter trick-or-treating without "eating some kind of sour candy or Hi-Chews. Neither are great for dental health, but I regret nothing."

As for Liel Grinbaum, DMD, owner and pediatric dentist at Smiles + Grins in New York City, he has a sweet spot for Lindt dark chocolate. He also gladly gives out candy on Halloween: "Since Halloween only happens once a year, I think it's best to allow the celebration. But there are ways to prevent tooth damage that night. I tape a wrapped disposable toothbrush to the candy, as a reminder to brush after snacking."

Oral hygiene is an important part of the equation, all three dentists agree. It’s also beneficial to prioritize treats that are less detrimental to our dental health. In case you’d like to give your teeth some TLC this season (and support the chompers of the costumed children going door to door), read on as the pros share some tips to keep in mind.

The Worst Halloween Candies for Your Teeth, According to Dentists

Any treats that are sour, chewy or hard tend to be disagreeable with dental health. Here’s why:

Sour: Sugar is the food for bacteria that form cavities, Dr. Hoang explains. As this bacteria consumes sugar, it releases acid, which dissolves enamel. This process is known as demineralization. Sour foods are lower in pH, which means "there’s a lower bar for demineralization of enamel," Dr. Hoang says. Sticky Sour Punch Straws and Sour Patch Kids are a couple examples of tart candies that tend to be enemies of enamel. Dr. Grinbaum notes that sour sucking candies such as Warheads are also wise to avoid, since "these candies are allowed to slowly dissolve on the teeth and in the mouth for a prolonged time," he tells us, extending the mouth’s acidic era before saliva can help restore balance.

Chewy: Sticky candies like gummies (sorry, Haribo), caramels (like Milk Duds or Rolos), and taffy (ahem, Airheads) can get caught in crevices between your teeth and gums, or might wedge themselves in the crevices in your molars. This gives the bacteria in your mouth direct access to that cavity-causing sugar. Instead of a regular meal for those bugs, they’re able to sit down to a long, leisurely Thanksgiving feast. Plus, "sticky treats present a risk for dislodging fillings or crowns," Dr. Guldalian warns.

Hard: Similarly, "hard candies can quickly trigger a fractured tooth or affect existing dental restoration," according to Dr. Grinbaum. All of a sudden, those Jolly Ranchers don’t seem quite as jolly…

The Worst of the Worst: There’s one common Halloween candy that combines all of these unfavorable features in a single package, making it the dentists’ unanimous choice for the worst for teeth: Caramel Apple Pops.

"The sugar-filled caramel sticks to the teeth, while the sour candy pop part takes a while to dissolve in the mouth," Dr. Grinbaum explains. Since it’s slow-melting, it can be tempting to chomp down on the hard sour apple pop. "All of these aspects combine to create chaos for the dental health in your mouth," he adds.

Dentist-Approved Halloween Candy Options

The best candies are those that are soft, melt quickly and perhaps come with a few health benefits, like a dose of calcium and antioxidants. Dr. Grinbaum and Dr. Guldalian both point to chocolate — milk or dark — as among your best bets. (Kit-Kats, Reese’s and Hershey’s, we’re coming for you!)

Dr. Guldalian also likes treats that are sweetened with xylitol, a sugar alcohol that tastes like sugar, but doesn’t feed the cavity-triggering bacteria in our mouths in the same way. She’s especially sweet on the lollipops from Dr. John’s, which are designed by a dentist. Dr. Guldalian regularly recommends these tooth-shaped goodies to clients.

Remember that candy isn’t your only option to share with those on a treat tour. Sometimes, instead of candy, Dr. Hoang gives out bags of fiber-rich popcorn or savory ramen packets, which offer welcome relief from the sugar tsunami.

3 Dentist Tips to Keep in Mind This Halloween

Before we let the experts go to change into their costumes, we couldn’t resist asking if they had any parting advice. We promise that none of their final pointers are punishing!

Aim for Moderation: Candy should not be viewed as "forbidden," Dr. Guldalian reminds us. "Dental disease is much more about repeated patterns over time than about one Halloween treat — or one day," she concedes. Dr. Hoang echoes that sentiment, flagging that "candy, in moderation, is not a moral failing. Some of my favorite memories of childhood were trading candies and eating them before bed. Enjoy it. You are only young once!"

Select a Candy-Enjoying Window: Rather than grazing on candy, Dr. Grinbaum and Dr. Guldalian promote choosing a select timespan to enjoy them. That way, there’s less exposure throughout the day.

Brush ASAP: Once you’ve had your favorites, Dr. Grinbaum suggests rinsing out your mouth with water if you’re on the go. If you’re at home — or once you get there — brush your teeth ASAP to free any chewy bits and clean up residual sugars. Then take a deep breath and give yourself grace, Dr. Guldalian says: "You don't have to be perfect to have healthy teeth."

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