These are the worst Easter candies for your teeth, according to dentists

Not to be the Easter Grinch, but let's talk about Easter candy. It's not exactly the best for your teeth. The good news: Not all candy is created equal! Thankfully, there are some that are better than others, and the dentists at Aspen Dental are here to help us all decipher what's what.They've ranked some popular Easter candies by category: best, not so bad and worst. Chocolate fans will be pleasantly surprised by what's in the top category: Hollow chocolate bunnies, peanut butter-filled eggs and creme-filled chocolate eggs are all labeled "best" — meaning they'll do the least damage to your teeth. According to Dr. Anita Imadomwanyi, the chocolate dissolves fairly quickly and is less destructive to the enamel and teeth. Dark chocolate is even better since it contains less sugar and sometimes has bacteria-fighting compounds (epicatechin and polyphenols) that work to ward off cavities.As for the "not so bad," we've got jelly beans and sugar-coated marshmallows (looking at you, Peeps). In the '"worst" category, things start to go south. Hard sucking candies come as no surprise — sucking on candies exposes your teeth to sugar for longer — nor do taffy and caramels, which notoriously get stuck in your teeth, and sour gummies! Per Imadomwanyi, these ones are worst offenders because they're both acidic and sticky. The acidity can lead to breakdown or weakening of the enamel, making you more susceptible to cavities. Now, despite our best intentions, we don't always follow doctor/dentist recommendations when it comes to sweet stuff, especially on holidays. If you or your kids do indulge Easter weekend, dentists advise consuming candy after meals instead of throughout the day to prevent prolonged sugar contact to your teeth. Also, brush, floss and swish your mouth with water or mouthwash at least twice a day, as is always recommended.