Dental Candies: What Are They and Which Are Best? – Updated 2024

You may not believe it at first, but yes, there are candies that can actually help your teeth. Dental candies, a term that sounds almost too good to be true, are specially formulated sweets designed to help maintain your oral health. They are not your average supermarket candies; they’re superheroes in disguise!

Dental candies work by introducing substances that can combat harmful bacteria in your mouth. In most dental candies the key an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol is a type of sugar alcohol that sweetens the candy and fights off the bad bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Another, newer type of dental candy is the probiotic supplement. These supplements use good bacteria like Lactobacillus Paracasei to combat the bad bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum problems, neutralizing acid in the mouth.

Dental candies have been around for quite some time. They emerged as a response to the growing understanding of the link between sugar, bacteria, and tooth decay. Dental professionals and candy manufacturers worked together to create a candy that could satisfy our sweet tooth while also keeping our teeth healthy – a win-win situation.

How We Picked Dental Candy

We wanted some consistent criteria to judge the candies by, so we looked at four things:

• Xylitol – Xylitol is the star ingredient in most dental candies, so its presence is crucial.
• Flavor Profile – While sweetness is expected, the flavor should not be overpowering or artificial. We preferred candies with subtle, pleasant natural flavors.
• Texture – Dental candies should dissolve slowly in the mouth to maximize contact time with teeth.
• Added Ingredients – Some dental candies also contain supplemental ingredients like fluoride. These bonus ingredients provide additional oral health benefits.

With these in mind, we have a basis for talking about the dental candies we’ve checked out.

A Spotlight On Some of The Best Dental Candies:

basic BITES Sugar Free Soft Chews

BasicBites brings a unique twist to the world of dental health candies with its chocolate and caramel flavored soft chews. Unlike the predominantly mint-flavored options in the market, BasicBites offers a delightful alternative for those with a sweet tooth who also prioritize their oral health.

Pros:

• Chocolate for your teeth?!? Available in mouthwatering chocolate and caramel flavors
• Soft chew texture
• Can be chewed to coat tooth surfaces or enjoyed as a meltaway

• Arginine: An amino acid that nurtures beneficial bacteria, creating a pH-balanced oral environment

Cons:

• No xylitol

Unique Points

• Prebiotic and Postbiotic Oral Microbiome Technology
• Supports beneficial pH-raising bacteria in dental plaque
• Immediate and sustained neutralization of harmful sugar acids
• Helps maintain a healthy, pH-neutral oral environment
• Sugar-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free

Comparison

BasicBites takes a different approach with its arginine-based microbiome technology. Like ProDentim, it comes in a soft chew form, but offers unique chocolate and caramel flavors instead of mint.

• Dry mouth sufferers
• Those with a sweet tooth looking for a healthier alternative
• Adults, teens, and children (6 years and older)

The Science Behind It

Developed and tested at a leading US dental school, BasicBites’ technology is backed by decades of research. It works by nurturing beneficial oral bacteria that produce acid-neutralizing buffers, supporting the remineralization process of enamel.

Prodentim Probiotics

One thing to note about Prodentim: this isn’t a “candy”, it’s a probiotic supplement. Sure looks and tastes like a candy though. It has a strawberry and mint flavor that is a refreshing change.

What makes them work is feature a blend of beneficial probiotics that actively promote oral health. These probiotics contribute to a healthy oral microbiome and combat harmful bacteria, turning chew time into a moment for dental care.

Fight bad bacteria with good bacteria, with the goal of neutralizing the acids that mess up your teeth and gum!

Prodentim tablets dissolve in your mouth. This characteristic not only makes the supplement enjoyable to eat but also ensures that the beneficial probiotics are effectively released and distributed in the mouth.

The natural formula of Prodentim makes it a great choice for those seeking a healthier alternative to traditional oral care supplements.

Pros:

• Promotes long-term mouth and gum health
• Refreshing, natural strawberry and mint flavors
• Smooth texture enhances the distribution of active probiotics
• Added probiotic cultures support a balanced oral microbiome

Cons:

• No xylitol
• Expensive, but nice!

Zollipops: The Clean Teeth Lollipops

At first glance, these are kids’ lollipops. But Zollipops contain a potent blend of xylitol and erythritol acting as a shield against cavity-causing bacteria. The duo sweetens the candy but also contributes to oral health, turning candy time into an opportunity for dental hygiene.

The flavor variety is the best thing about Zollis. Natural fruit-based flavors from cherry to pineapple offer lets you change it up from the usual breath mints.

Zollipops dissolve slowly as you suck on them. It prolongs the enjoyment of the candy but also maxes out the active ingredients’ effectiveness, giving time for xylitol and erythritol to spread around in your mouth and do its work.

Pros:

• Contains xylitol and erythritol that fight cavity-causing bacteria
• Variety of natural, fruit-based flavors
• Slow-dissolving texture enhances effectiveness of active ingredients

Cons:

• Although the flavors are generally well-received, individual taste preferences may vary.

 

Spry Xylitol Peppermint Sugar Free Candy

Spry Peppermint Candy is infused with xylitol like the majority of products I’ve tried. The natural sweetener is known to thwart cavity-inducing bacteria, making these mints good for more than bad breath.

These mints have a bold peppermint punch that’s both refreshing and invigorating. The remind me of Altoids a little bit. (I love Altoids).

They’re gluten-free, non-GMO, and diabetic-friendly.

Pros:

• Infused with xylitol that combats cavity-causing bacteria
• Vibrant, invigorating peppermint essence
• Lingering dissolve rate enhances xylitol’s dental benefits
• Gluten-free, non-GMO, and diabetic-friendly
• Petite and smooth for effortless enjoyment

Cons:

• The robust peppermint kick might be overwhelming for some.

 

Zellie’s 100% Xylitol Sugar Free Cool Mint Breath Mints

 

Zellie’s 100% Xylitol Sugar Free Cool Mint Breath Mints are another entry in the popular mints category. As people with dental problems are often also concerned about bad breath, it’s a natural fit.

Each piece is enriched with 100% xylitol, recognized for its dental benefits—specifically its ability to deter cavity-causing bacteria.

What makes Zellie’s 100% Xylitol Sugar Free Cool Mint Breath Mints stand out is their crisp, invigorating cool mint flavor.  To me they has a bit of wintergreen or spearmint as opposed to the peppermint of Spry mints. It’s hard to say which I prefer.

They are an excellent choice for those with specific dietary needs. They are gluten-free, non-GMO, and suitable for diabetics.

I’d rate them as slightly less potent in terms of their mintyness than Spry’s.

Pros:

• Packed with 100% xylitol that fights against cavity-producing bacteria
• Crisp, refreshing cool mint flavor
• Slow-melting quality boosts xylitol’s dental advantages
• Gluten-free, non-GMO, and suitable for diabetics
• Small and silky for easy enjoyment

Cons:

• The potent cool mint flavor may be too strong for some, although slightly less strong than Spry’s IMO.

 

Epic Xylitol Mints

 

Epic Xylitol Mints carve their own niche. Think of the small-town team that clinches the championship against a ten-time reigning giant, or the 1980 Winter Olympics when Team USA triumphed over the USSR, leading to a gold medal in Men’s Hockey. The company embraces and projects a scrappy vibe.

Epic Xylitol Mints bring a similar narrative to the table; an unassuming challenger that boldly outshines major corporate conglomerates with superior, high-quality Xylitol Mints.

Epic Xylitol Mints are meticulously crafted, with a commitment to simplicity and purity. They contain only the bare essential ingredients, eschewing fillers, chemicals, and artificial sweeteners that are common in other brands (not ones on this site!).

Each Epic Xylitol Mint contains 0.5 grams of xylitol, with a serving size of two mints offering 1 gram of this beneficial sweetener. Extensive research suggests that a daily intake of 6 to 10 grams of xylitol can significantly bolster your dental health. This recommended dosage, confirmed by a University of Washington study, advises consumption three times a day to maximize benefits.

Pros:

• Only essential ingredients used, with no fillers, chemicals, or artificial sweeteners
• Each serving (two mints) contains 1 gram of beneficial xylitol
• Supports dental health with recommended daily intake

Cons:

• As with the other mint dental candies, the strong natural mint flavor may be overpowering for some.

 

Best Dental Candies Buying Guide

 

When searching for the top dental candies, there are some key aspects to evaluate so you can make the ideal choice. This guide will provide the main factors to consider when comparing different dental candy options.

Cavity Protection

One of the most crucial things is finding dental candies that actively protect against cavities. Look for ones containing xylitol or erythritol, as these sugar alcohols inhibit cavity-causing bacteria growth.

Flavor

You’ll want dental candies that taste great while providing dental perks. Seek out fun flavors like mint, fruit, or vanilla that will be appealing options. The top dental candies balance dental health with delicious flavor so you can look forward to enjoying them.

Texture

Pay attention to the texture, as the best dental candies will have a firm, silky feel. This makes them easy to dissolve in the mouth so the teeth-strengthening ingredients can spread. Avoid any with a chalky or gritty texture. The top dental candies should melt away cleanly.

Sugar-Free

Of course they should be sugar-free!  Choose sugar-free dental candies. Added sugar undermines oral health, so quality dental candies forego sugar in favor of tooth-friendly sweeteners like xylitol. Checking the nutrition label ensures the candies don’t contain damaging added sugars. Keep your eye for sugars by another name, such as high-fructose corn syrup.

Certifications

Look for dental candies that are ADA approved, as this indicates dentists endorse their benefits. Vegan, organic, non-GMO, or kosher certifications can also provide peace of mind about quality standards. Reputable certifications show the dental candies meet certain criteria.

For supplements, they should be packaged in an FDA-approved facility, like Prodentim and simpleBITES.

Convenience

Seek out dental candies that are portable and easy to keep on hand for oral care anytime, anywhere. Individually wrapped candies are ideal for grabbing a piece conveniently. Alternately, many breath-mint type dental candies come in resealable packages or small bottles that also allow for grabbing some candies to go.