The new generation of popular sour candy is more trick than treat, warn dental experts. Most of it contains acid levels so high that it approaches the ph level of battery acid, according to the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA).

Sour candy comes in dozens of varieties and forms including hard, soft, chewy, gummy, gels, liquid sprays, crystals, foam sprays, powders, cotton candy and chewing gums. Most people think this type of candy is safer because it has less sugar, but they don’t know that the acid content is toward the extreme end of the acidic spectrum.

The CDHA is offering the following tips for this Halloween:

• Avoid, limit or seriously reconsider choosing or eating candy labeled “sour or tart”
• Remember that “sour” means “acid,” which is bad for teeth
• Look for the following acids on the back label of ingredients and avoid them: citric, lactic, malic, tartaric, fumaric, adipic, ascorbic
• Don’t be fooled by “concentrated fruit juice extracts,” which is a code phrase for ingredients that can be highly acidic
• If you choose to consume sour candies, rinse your mouth with water immediately afterwards to reduce the damaging effects from the acids
• DO NOT brush your teeth directly after eating sour candy as the toothbrush and toothpaste are abrasive. This will scratch and will remove more of the already softened enamel

Source: California Dental Hygienists’ Association
Photo: Erika Feltham

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