Easter Candy and Healthy Teeth: Your Go-To Guide

With Easter just around the corner, there’s no doubt kids are thinking about all the candy and treats they’ll get. Easter baskets and Easter egg hunts filled with chocolate, candy, and other sweets are some of the ways many Americans celebrate the holiday.

Despite the fact that traditions continue to hold true and kids (as well as adults!) will always enjoy candy, the excess of candy will be hard on their teeth in the long run. While talking about oral health on Easter certainly isn’t the most fun topic, it’s a good idea to at least familiarize yourself with some basic information and to learn which treats are better and which you can stay away from to keep you and your kids happy and healthy at the same time.

How Candy Affects Your Teeth

The bacteria in your mouth are fed by sugar when you eat foods and snacks high in sugar, so they excrete an acidic substance. Sugar contributes to tooth decay, plaque buildup, gum disease, and cavities. The longer you expose your teeth to sugar, the more damage is done by the acidic secretions of the bacteria.

Here are some quick tips

• If you indulge in sweets, drink plenty of water throughout the day. In addition to neutralizing the acids produced by bacteria, water can shake loose any bits stuck between your teeth when you swish the water around your mouth. The enamel will be damaged if sugary food is left in the mouth for an extended period of time.
• Having a few pieces of candy here and there throughout the day will save your teeth from a lot of damage than if you constantly indulge in sugary snacks.

Avoid these treats

• Treats that are particularly harmful to your oral health include:
• Gummy or sticky candy – Any candy that sticks to the teeth will do more damage since the stuck pieces will continue to damage the teeth until they are removed.

The longer you spend exposing your teeth to sugar, the more likely you will get a cavity. Candy like lollipops and jawbreakers will cause more harm simply by being in your mouth for longer periods of time.

Like sticky candy, dried fruit can easily get caught in between your teeth and cause damage until the particle of fruit is removed. This makes dried fruit one of the more surprising ones on this list.

Alternatives that are healthier

Here are some alternatives you and your kids will still enjoy:

• Low-sugar dark chocolate has been shown to strengthen teeth.
• Eggs – Would you like an alternative to candy that is also a fun activity? Decorating hard-boiled eggs during Easter with natural dyes is a classic activity that does not contain sugar.
• Low sugar or sugar free candy – Low sugar or sugar free candy tastes just as good without the same sugar content that damages teeth.

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Artful Smiles Dental Studio: Your go-to dentist in Evanston.  Remember, with Artful Smiles Dental Studio we are here to help!  Contact Artful Smiles Dental Studio today and find out why Dr Victoia Korol  has been a trusted resource. Serving Evanston, Wilmette, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Winnetka, Niles, Glenview and Chicago, IL, Artful Smiles Dental Studio will make you feel right at home. Make your appointment today for patient-centered dental care and a lifetime of beautiful smiles.