Would you say you have a relentless sweet tooth? The occasional sweet treat is the remedy for indulging a craving, but regrettably, choosing unhealthy snacks can impact your dental health! We already know that sweets and pastries frequently include a lot of sugar that harms our teeth from decay, but hard candies in particular can harm the structure of your teeth. 

We’ll briefly touch on the types of candy there are and how they can affect the teeth of those that consume them frequently (as well as what freeze dried candy has to do with all of this!):

Candy is a broad term for various types of treats, including chocolate bars, truffles, lollipops, and butterscotch candies. Keep in mind not all candies have the same impact on dental health as others do.

• Sticky or chewy candies, such as toffees, caramels, taffy, and gummy candies 
• Chocolates
• Hard candies, such as butterscotch, peppermint, lollipops, and lozenges

Why are Hard Candies Harmful to My Teeth?

Sugar and fat serve as the foundation for a majority of sweets. Compared to hard sweets, soft candies frequently contain more fat (i.e., soft caramel has more butter and cream than hard caramels). Hard candies are this way in part due to their substantial sugar content.

Essentially, the high amount of sugar fosters the conditions that produce cavities. In addition to the increased sugar content, the hard candy dissolves in the mouth, causing the sugar to remain on the teeth for a longer period of time.

How Does Sugar Cause Cavities?

Basically, sugar doesn’t directly cause cavities. Sugar provides a fuel source for germs. Furthermore, bacteria create acid when consuming sugar. It is this acid that eats away at the tooth enamel. Of course, the longer this acid sits on your teeth, the longer the damage is done. Over time, the damage grows worse and worse.

Which Candies Are Safest to Eat?

We understand that there aren’t many people who will permanently outlaw sweets from their diet, but there is a sensible approach to take. By picking the least offensive candies, along with taking the required precautions, you may still safely enjoy the candy you do consume. Because chocolate rinses off the teeth much more easily and does not stay in the mouth as long as hard candies do, it is usually a better baseline option. That is, in comparison to hard candies or chewy candies.

Additionally, hard candies, when bitten down on as most kids often do, can put a lot of pressure on the structure of your teeth. Teeth are designed to tear and break food apart, not necessarily to crush rock-hard objects!

That being said, you may still reduce the negative effects on your dental health if you choose to consume hard candy by doing the following actions:

• Eat Candy in Moderation: Basically put, more sugar in your mouth means more exposure to your teeth.
• Drink Water After Eating Candy: This will help to rinse away some of the sugar that would otherwise stick around on your teeth.
• Eat Candy with a Meal: Once you’ve finished your vegetables, of course! Eating sweets after a meal helps reduce tooth decay because eating increases saliva production in your mouth, which helps prevent decay. Salvia helps drain the sugar more quickly while battling the acid in your mouth.
• Floss and Brush: For maximum protection, clean your teeth and floss as soon as possible after consuming sweets. 

Whether you “treat yourself” to a piece of candy once a day or once a week, remember to schedule frequent dental appointments and maintain a proper oral care routine.

Freeze Dried Candy: How and Why

Being a professional freeze dried food and ingredient manufacturer, we are glad to bring you some information about this popular trend in candy consumption. Because of how thoroughly the freeze drying process can alter the shape and texture of numerous sweet delights, freeze dried candy has become all the rage online. Since this method of candy preservation is relatively new, many people may find the subject confusing.

What is Freeze Dried Candy?

Candy that has been freeze dried is exactly what it sounds like: candy! The flavor, color, ingredients, and fragrances of any candy (as is the same with freeze dried foods) will remain intact, making the taste almost identical to that of fresh candy, whether it is sour or sweet.

Other preservation techniques, such as canning and dehydrating, frequently involve high temperatures that can significantly reduce the nutritional content of freeze dried products. Candy and other foods may be rehydrated more quickly thanks to the techniques of the freeze drying process. 

Additionally, the freeze drying procedure is said to improve the flavor or crunch of sweets! This is due to the concentration of flavor that is left behind once the water is removed. Now, as you may know, freeze drying is an excellent way to preserve food. Processing food ingredients this way gives it a shelf life of up to 25 years, which is significantly longer than a more typical shelf life of only a few months.

Here is a list of some of the types of candies that freeze-dry best:

• Skittles
• Saltwater Taffy
• Marshmallows
• MilkDuds
• Gummy candies like peach rings and sour worms
• Hard candy like Jolly Ranchers
• Fruit (While this isn’t candy, you may be surprised how much freeze dried fruit tastes like candy!)

How is Freeze Dried Candy Made?

The process of freeze drying involves freezing the candy, reducing the pressure, and then sublimating the ice (evaporating it directly from its solid ice state) to remove it. You will receive a product that is moisture-free thanks to this process, making it possible to remove moisture without having to damage or alter the original products.

It’s a frequent myth that making your own freeze dried sweets is hard. You just need to buy your own freeze dryer in order to manufacture freeze dried candies. That being said, when looking for freeze dried products to sustain your business, choosing professional manufacturing solutions like those from our industry facility here at Shepherd Foods is recommended!

Is Freeze Dried Candy Better for Teeth than Hard Candy?

Because they have been puffed up during the freeze drying process and are unlikely to stick to your teeth (they tend to dissolve in your mouth), freeze dried candies are much more ideal for dental health. Alternatively, hard candies are more likely to adhere to your teeth and cause cavities. If your teeth are sensitive, your situation may be different. Freeze dried goods, just like other candies, are not any more suitable for people who have sensitive teeth.

In Conclusion

“Which types of candies are best for the health of your teeth?” is a complex question to answer. No matter what, brushing twice daily and avoiding eating too many sticky foods will help you be less affected by cavities. Therefore, starting good habits now can help prevent damage to your teeth. For a healthier candy, eat freeze dried candy instead of your conventional hard candies! To learn more information about the freeze drying process, as well as how you can obtain a surplus of freeze dried foods and ingredients to provide for your consumers, give Shepherd Foods a call today at (800) 497-8321.

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