How Do Your Candies Stack Up?
Pucker Up!
- Water has a pH of 7.0.
- Battery acid and has a pH level of 1.0.
Loss of tooth enamel occurs at a pH level of 4.0.
Acid Levels in Popular Candies:
- Spree 3.0
- Big Stuff Pacifier Sucker 3.0
- X-creme Airheads 3.0
- Shockers 2.5
- Baby Bottle Pop Powder 2.5
- Sqwigglies Gummi Worms 2.5
- Starburst 2.4
- Lemon Heads 2.4
- WarHeads Sour Rips Roll 2.3
- Zours 2.2
- Airheads Cherry Chew 2.0
- Now and Later Cherry Chew 1.9
- Wonka Pixy Stix Powder 1.9
- Wonka Fun Dip Powder 1.8
- Sweetarts 3.0
- Sour Gummi Bears 3.0
- Sour Punch Straws 2.5
- Skittles 2.5
- Brach’s Gummi Bears 2.51
- Wonka Laffy Taffy 2.5
- Sweet Tarts Shock 2.4
- Mentos Fruit Chew 2.4
- Lollipop Paint Shop 2.2
- Sour Skittles 2 2
- Wonka Nerds Grape 2.0
- Too Tart Extra Sour Goo 1.9
- WarHeads Sour Spray 6
Battery acid 1.0
The Hard Facts
Sour candies are very acidic – some with a pH level close to that of a battery and some candy is so acidic it can actually burn gums and cheeks. Each acid attack lasts about 20 minutes. Holding the acid in your mouth by prolonged candy sucking or chewing continues the attack.
Acid weakens and wears away tooth enamel.
If you do eat sour candy, rinse mouth out with water, drink milk or eat cheese right after to neutralize acids. Chew sugar-free gum.
If you consume acidic products, wait for an hour to brush your teeth.
Brushing right away increases the harmful effects of acid on teeth.