Most dentists will tell you that candy is not good for your teeth. It contains sticky sugars that stick to your teeth and encourage bacteria and acid to attack your enamel, making your teeth vulnerable and ultimately causing cavities.

However, not all sweets are bad for the teeth. Indulge in some of these tooth-friendly treats to satisfy your sweet tooth without as much damage as traditional treats.

Sugar-free hard candy

Thanks to diabetes awareness and general public desire, many of your favorite hard candies are now available in sugar-free versions.

Sucking on a sugar-free hard candy can actually be great for your teeth because it stimulates saliva production, which in turn removes plaque buildup and prevents bacteria from just as easily settling on your teeth.

Your local grocery store has a wide selection of sugar-free hard candies, and you can find an even wider selection online.

Sugarless gum

The American Dental Association has recommended the use of sugar-free gum for many years as a way to subtly clean and whiten your teeth after a meal or snack when you are unable to brush your teeth.

Chewing gum helps loosen food particles after meals and stimulates saliva production. Studies by the ADA and other wellness organizations show that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals helps prevent tooth decay.

Look for gums that have the ADA seal of approval.

Dark chocolate

If you have a craving for chocolate, darker is better.

Dark chocolate has a higher concentration of cocoa solids, so it has less sugar than milk or white chocolates. Dark chocolate also contains theobromine, which has the ability to harden tooth enamel.

In addition to these benefits for your teeth, dark chocolate has a host of benefits for the rest of you, including improving brain function and lowering bad cholesterol. Just don’t let the benefits of dark chocolate blind you to the fact that it’s even better when consumed in moderation.

Powdered candies

Since powdered sweets are almost always pure sugar, it may surprise you to learn that they aren’t actually that bad for your teeth.

These sweets are typically eaten in small pieces on the tongue and do not require chewing, which means they don’t spend a lot of time (if at all) on the teeth.

They also dissolve quickly when they hit your teeth and don’t stick like other candies do. Again, moderation is very important with these candies, as they are still sugary. Also, beware of acidic varieties, which are quite acidic and therefore more corrosive.