Denture-Friendly Halloween Candy

People of all ages enjoy Halloween not just kids!Older adults still enjoy this spooky holiday by dressing up, passing out candy, watching movies, and even eating some Halloween candy themselves.However, seniors should pay close attention to the treats that they eat on Halloween.Nearly 1 in 5 seniorshave lost all of their teeth,and many more have some tooth loss.As a result, manyseniors havefull or partial dentures, which can limit the types of food and candy that they should eat.

Thats why we want to share the top denture-friendly Halloween candy along with the candies to avoid!Candy to AvoidLets startwith the candies that seniors should avoid.Generally, seniors with dentures should avoid candies that are sticky because these could pull on dentures or leave sticky residue behind on the teeth.Likewise, they should avoid candies that are too hard.Hard candy can shatter into small pieces that can get stuck between the denture and the gum, resulting in pain and irritation.That being said, here are some of thespecificHalloween candies that seniors with dentures should avoid.Tootsie RollsGummy worms or bearsCaramelGumSkittlesStarburstLaffy TaffyTootsie PopsSwedish FishBlow PopsCandies with nutsPeanut brittleHeath or candies with toffeeSalt water taffyNerdsHot TamalesMilk DudsSour Patch KidsAir HeadsRuntsTwizzlersChocolates with nuts (like Mr.Goodbar)Denture-Friendly CandiesNow that weve gotten the candy to avoid out of the way, lets focus on the candy that seniors with dentures can enjoy!Generally, soft candies and chocolates are safe for dentures.Seniors with dentures can enjoy hard candies, like Jolly Ranchers,only if they suck on them instead of biting down on them.Reeses CupsHershey KissesJunior MintsSuckerswithout chewy centers(as long as you dont chew them!)Candy CornM&MsAlmond JoyMoundsHersheys mini bars (without nuts)Jolly Ranchers (as long as you dont chew them!)3 MusketeersKitKatButterfingerHersheys Cookies N CreamSmartiesCrunchWhoppersYou might notice that some top Halloween favorites arent on this list, like Twix, Snickers,PayDay,100 Grand,or Milky Way.

Thats because these contain caramel and could be too sticky for your dentures.If youre worried about eatingany type ofcandy, talk with your dentist about what sweet treats you can enjoy and which ones you should avoid.Tips to Maintain Your Oral HealthWhen eating sweets, its important to maintain good oralhygieneto keep your gums and mouth healthyand to keep your dentures in great condition.Here are some tips!Drink a glass of water.Drinking a glass of waterafter you eat something sweetcan help rinse away sugar and traces of candy from your dentures.Eat your sweets with a meal.Saliva production increases when you eat, and your saliva can help reduce the amount of sugar that gets stuck to your dentures.So, eating your sweets with a meal can help cut down on sugars that remain in your mouth.Clean your dentures thoroughly.Plaque can buildup on your dentures just like it can buildup on regular teeth.

This plaque can calcify if not cleaned properly.Make sure to clean your dentures with denture cleaner daily so they staypristine.Limit your sugar intake.While youre enjoying your candy, make sure you eat your sweets in moderation.Too much sugar is not only bad for your oral health but can be bad for your overall health too.Try candy alternatives.To satisfy your sweet tooth, you can also opt for candy alternatives.

Try eating a brownie or a soft cookie instead of reaching for a handful of Halloween treats.Check the fit on your dentures.Make sure your dentures fit properly and have a good seal.If they dont, speak with your dentist; your dentures may need to be relined or replaced.For more tips on caring for dentures, check out these guidelines from theAmerican Dental Association.As you celebrate Halloween this yearwith your family, we hope you can keep these candies in mind for your aging loved ones.Happy Halloween!