LONETREE, Colo. (CBS4) – Forget the ghosts and goblins this Halloween. It’s the scary pH levels in some candies that should frighten parents, dentists say.

“I’m a big proponent of prevention, and I understand that Halloween is this time of the year. So I’m not saying take everything away. But pick and choose wisely what you want your children to eat,” Dr. Sandra Ambida, a dentist in Lonetree, said.

Some candies’ pH levels register close a car’s battery acid, which is 1.0 on the pH scale.

“That’s pretty shocking what kids are eating,” dad John Sneider said. “I eat them now, and I’m probably going to have to stop.”

CBS4 showed parents a list of the most acidic candies, according to Birmingham’s School of Dentistry. Some of candies with the lowest pH levels include:

– Warhead’s sour spray – 1.6

– Wonka fun dip power – 1.8

– Now and Later cherry chews – 1.9

– Skittles – 2.5

– Extreme Airheads – 3.0

That’s just to name a few.

“That’s pretty bad. It’s shocking,” mom Catherina Sneider said.

“The acidity levels in these candies can cause erosion to teeth, especially developing teeth in children,” Ambida said.

Dentists say it’s best to stay away from sticky, sour and hard candies that can seep into the grooves of the teeth. But what can your kids eat?

“They don’t eat hard candies,” Sneider said. She said chocolate, if it’s soft, is what she provides.

“I love chocolate. Chocolate without the chews in them, most likely without the nuts,” Ambida said. “Those are always good alternative. The bags of popcorn aren’t bad either.”