The candy Georgia dentists say to avoid this Halloween
The ‘molar’ of the story? Some candies are worse than others. Here’s what to avoid this Halloween.
Various types of Halloween candy photographed in studio on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Dental experts say hard candies and stickys sweets can increase the risk of cavities in children. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
Halloween shoppers are expected to spend $3.9 billion on candy this holiday season. For confectioners, it’s a pretty sweet deal — but behind the sugar rush lies a spooky truth. Sugar is the most common risk factor for cavities.
To get to the root of it all, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke with three local dental experts about how candy impacts oral health. Dr. Ashley Curington, a prosthodontist at the North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Buford, offered insights from an adult dental care perspective. From pediatric dentistry Mustard Seed in Suwanee, Dr. Yoomee Kim and Dr. Amanda Malayter shared advice tailored to kids.
Various types of Halloween candy photographed in studio on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Dental experts say hard candies and stickys sweets can increase the risk of cavities in children. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
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Sticky treats
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Hard candies photographed in the studio on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Dental experts say hard candies and sticks sweets can increase the risk of cavities in children. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
Hard candy has issues, too
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Chocolate candy photographed in the studio on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Dental experts say chocolate washes off teeth more easily than sticky and hard candy. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
Chocolate isn’t as bad
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Hunter Boyce is a writer, digital producer and journalist home grown from a Burke County farm. Throughout his career, Hunter has gone on to write sports, entertainment, political and local breaking news for a variety of outlets.
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