Easter egg hunts and family get-togethers often create fond memories of this holiday, but what’s not so good is the amount of Easter candy available. Grocery stores are full of enticingly packed Easter eggs and other themed candies, and many children receive large amounts of chocolate from family members and friends. While Easter only comes once a year, eating a lot of candy can induce cravings for the sweet stuff weeks and months later.
Sugars and refined carbohydrates can cause cavities in children’s teeth in Ajax. The earlier they have dental issues like tooth decay in Oshawa, the more likely they will develop more complex oral health problems during adulthood. Although this may sound serious, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the Easter holidays, but it is important to model healthy habits and moderation when eating Easter treats.
The problem with eating candy is that it feeds bacteria in the mouth that produce acids. These acids weaken tooth enamel, and repeated exposure to acid eventually causes cavities. However, there are several things you can do to minimize the impact on your family’s teeth.
- After eating candy, swish your mouth vigorously with water which helps to loosen pieces stuck between your teeth. Water also helps neutralize the acids more quickly.
- Don’t snack on chocolate and candies all day. It’s far better to eat a daily allowance all at once as this limits the time your teeth are exposed to acid. If you snack all day, your mouth remains acidic for longer.
- Wait before brushing for at least half an hour to an hour. Although tooth enamel is strong, it is weakened by the acid, and waiting gives it time to re-harden. If you brush your teeth too soon, it can easily wear away more tooth enamel.
The Best and Worst Easter Candies
The best Easter candies include dark chocolate with 75% cocoa or higher. Initially, dark chocolate can be an acquired taste, so it’s worth bringing up kids enjoying this chocolate right from the start. If you can’t tolerate dark chocolate, choose milk chocolate instead. It still melts easily and is more quickly washed away by water and saliva.
Alternatively, you could try making a new Easter tradition by baking with your kids. Instead of ordinary sugar, try using monk fruit sweetener or coconut sugar, as both have a low glycaemic index and are less harmful to teeth and overall health. It’s often possible to swap out ordinary sugar in recipes for these sugars. Another option is to boil and decorate real legs using stickers and natural dyes.
The worst candies for teeth include anything sticky because these stick to teeth for longer, allowing bacteria to feast on the leftovers and produce acid until you can brush or floss the remains away. In general, the longer a candy lasts, the worse it is for teeth as it exposes them to sugar and acid for a longer period. Gummy candies are also not a good choice because they tend to be acidic, and the acid damages teeth. Surprisingly, another offender is dried fruit, as it is packed with concentrated sugar and can be extremely sticky. The damage isn’t just limited to candies, as graham crackers can be just as bad. Crackers can get stuck around teeth, and the carbohydrates are converted into sugar as easily as candy.
The Easter holidays can be a great opportunity to catch up with your family’s dental appointments. If anyone needs a dental checkup in Whitby, contact Margolian Dentistry to schedule your visit.
