Sweets and teeth, what is the connection? With Easter just around the corner, are cavities soon to follow? Easter and Halloween rival for the top spot in candy celebrations. Americans spend about $28.11 per person on Easter candy. As a country, we spend $2.1 billion dollars on 120 million pounds of the sweet stuff every year. Those are astonishing statistics!

Easter Candy is Not What Causes Cavities

Before you get too excited, read further. It’s not the sugar from the candy that gives you or your kids cavities, but what happens after you eat it. Some types of bacteria form into a sticky layer on your teeth (plaque) that must be removed by daily cleaning, otherwise these bacteria feed on sugars to create acids that destroy tooth enamel. Click here for more information about what causes cavities.

Those acids create a bacterial infection that creates holes in your teeth. Without treatment, cavities can go deeper into layers of the tooth, causing pain and possible tooth loss. Cavities, however, aren’t an inevitable fact of life after indulging in sweets; you can prevent cavities by taking a few precautions.

Tips to getting through the Easter holiday without cavities

Get Creative! There are ways to celebrate Easter without a basket full of candy.  Fill their basket with non-candy gifts such as:

• Art supplies: construction paper, stickers, paints, coloring books and markers.
• Puzzles, books and games.
• Outdoor toys such as a kite, bubbles, a ball or jump rope.
• Money or a gift card.

If You Are Going to Fill an Easter Basket with Candy, Be Selective About the Candy You Choose

• Avoid Sticky or Gummy Candy – Caramel and jelly beans are tasty, but they can be cavity causing culprits. They get stuck in the grooves of your teeth where it’s hard to brush properly and can be a major reason for tooth decay.
• Hard Candy– Lollipops, jawbreakers, and jolly ranchers are some of the most dangerous ones for your teeth because it takes a long time for them to dissolve in your mouth, essentially bathing your teeth in sugar for long periods of time. They can also break or chip your tooth enamel if you bite them.
• Sour candies – such as Sour Patch Kids, Lemon Heads, or sour Skittles can be highly acidic. Constant exposure to the acid found in these candies causes enamel erosion. Sugar-free lollipops & hard candy, although still hard, they don’t contain sugar that feeds the cavity causing bacteria. These candies can also boost saliva production and helps prevent dry mouth, which contributes to creating cavities.
• Dark chocolate – is Aa rich source of cocoa which hinders the growth of the bacteria responsible for plaque buildup. Don’t indulge too much, as dark chocolate still contains sugar.

Don’t Graze on Candy All Day

Eating candy all day long is hard on your teeth. 20 minutes after you eat, your saliva begins to neutralize the acids that are formed by the bacteria in your mouth.

More frequent eating, results in your tooth enamel being exposed to cavity-causing acids round the clock.

Rinse Your Mouth

It may be tempting to brush right after eating, but brushing immediately after eating a sugary snack can do more damage than good. Your tooth enamel is softer while it is under attack from the acids in your mouth, so wait 30-60 minutes after eating to give your enamel a chance to harden.

The Mayo Clinic recommends rinsing your mouth with water after eating a sweet or acidic treat.

Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing sugarless gum can help your saliva glands neutralize the acids in your mouth. It will also help remove food particles from your teeth.

Drink Water Frequently

Rinse your mouth throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. That helps to neutralize sugars and debris from your teeth and helps to keep you hydrated. A dry mouth can contribute to a cavity causing environment.

Good Oral Hygiene is Paramount!

During these holidays that bring a plethora of sweets, it’s time to be extra vigilant with good oral hygiene.

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush for two or three minutes every morning and night.
• Floss at least once per day.
• Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash at bedtime to strengthen your tooth enamel.

Visit the Dentist

After Easter might be the time to make appointments for the whole family to visit Dr. Shane S. Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle. Dr. Porter will check on the condition of your teeth and make sure there isn’t a plaque build-up that can cause tooth decay. With a thorough examination and deep cleaning twice a year, you can make sure that your indulgence didn’t lead to any long-term problems. Regular dental checkups allow Dr. Porter to check areas of your teeth or gums that you can’t see. 

Dr. Porter provides comprehensive dentistry for the whole family with a myriad of dental services. Follow this link for a list of the skilled services he provides. 

Located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, Idaho, Dr. Porter provides dental care to patients in the surrounding communities of Star, Middleton, Meridian, Garden City, and Boise.

By using these tips, and with proper precautions, you can help keep your mouth cavity free this Easter, so enjoy a Cadbury egg and then call Dr. Porter at (208) 546-0655.