As soon as the fall weather takes hold, attention quickly turns to Halloween. There’s plenty to love: costumes, parties and candy by the bucketful. For your teeth, however, Halloween candy can be a scary prospect. The good news is that by avoiding the trickiest sweets, you’ll be able to enjoy a few treats this October. Here’s what you need to know about the worst Halloween candy for your teeth.

1. Taffy is tricky. Many dentists believe these types of candies are one of the worst. Chewy and gummy candies that stick to the teeth can easily cause problems. Because these treats often require more work to break down, they spend more time on the teeth and are harder to remove. The longer the sugar stays behind, the more bacteria it creates. Bacteria can then lead to other issues like cavities and gingivitis.
2. Sour candies can seriously weaken your teeth. Sour candies offer a unique delight: a pout-puckering punch followed by sweet, sugary relief. The problem is that the acidity in most sour candies can wreak havoc on enamel, weakening it and making teeth more susceptible to cavities.
3. Hard pass on hard candies. In addition to sometimes being strong enough to chip or crack teeth, hard candies require a lot more saliva and time in the mouth to break down. This means subjecting the teeth to sugary saliva over and over until the candy is consumed. Sweets that break down quickly tend to be better choices. If you absolutely must have that lollypop, try to drink a glass of water with it. This will help wash away any sugar trying to cling to the teeth.
4. Candy isn’t the only Halloween horror. While dental professionals tend to focus on the scariest Halloween candies, popcorn balls and caramel and candy apples—common fall-time treats—aren’t much better. While popcorn balls can be tough to chew and will often leave kernels or other tiny bits between the teeth, caramel and candy apples cause similar problems to other sticky and hard sweets. Take equal caution with these dressed-up treats.
5. Chocolate lovers rejoice! Chocolate candies tend to be the best bet. These sweets break down quickly and can be easily washed off teeth. Dark chocolate, which tends to have less sugar than the milk or white options, is the best bet. Trick-or-treaters are in luck, as this also tends to be one of the most popular sweets this time of year.
6. Drink Your H2O. It might be tough to get kids to pass on fruit juice and other sugary beverages, but water is best—especially when they’re already getting a sugar high from the candy. Not only will water keep kids hydrated while running around the neighborhood collecting treats, it will also flush the sugar and food particles away from the teeth and gums. The less time sugar spends on the teeth, the better.

The bottom line is that one night of sugary excess isn’t likely to lead to serious oral health issues. By enjoying sweets in moderation, passing on the worst treats, and brushing and flossing daily, everyone can have a fun holiday without fearing the worst from their dentist. Regular dental checkups and cleanings can also help mitigate any damage caused by too many treats. For the latest and best information about your specific needs, talk to your dentist. A professional can help you determine what procedures to schedule right away.  and how to maintain good oral health outside the office.