Happy Teethster (Dental Care and Easter Candy)

As you are preparing for Easter this year, you may be wary of the chocolate bunnies you’re stocking in Easter baskets or the jelly beans your stuffing in plastic eggs. This is a healthy fear; binging on chocolate and sugary candy can make teeth and gums susceptible to bacteria which causes tooth decay and disease. 

Hydrate Frequently to Avoid Cavities

Sugar, one of the main causes for enamel erosion, not only attracts bacteria but also combines with saliva to form acid. A weak enamel from acid erosion makes teeth vulnerable to bacteria, and creates an environment for tooth decay. Hand your children a glass of water with their baskets of candy. Instruct them to drink plenty of water between each piece of candy. Rinsing your mouth frequently will clean your smile of some acid formation and bacteria from  sugar. Since dry mouth is more conducive to bacteria, hydrating your mouth is a good practice for daily oral hygiene.

Pick the Dark Chocolate Bunny

We not recommend eating a bunny-sized portion of chocolate; however, choosing the dark chocolate bunny over a milk chocolate or white chocolate confection could be better for your dental health. Recent studies suggest ingredients in dark chocolate can reduce your risk of tooth infection. Tannins are natural substances found in the cocoa powder used to make dark chocolate. Tannins disrupt colonies of bacteria that collect along your gum line and in between teeth that could contribute to gum disease. Another benefit of dark chocolate are flavanoids and phenols which contain heart healthy antioxidants.

Use Fluoridated Toothpaste

After a day of eating on candy, your children need extra protection against cavities and bacteria. Make sure to help them brush thoroughly after indulging in sweet treats. A fluoridated toothpaste can help strengthen the mineralization of the tooth enamel, and protect teeth against acid erosion.

Here are a few tips for creating a fun, tooth-friendly Easter basket the whole family can enjoy.  

• Don’t include hard candies and suckers that linger in the mouth and promote decay by constantly exposing the teeth to sugar.
• Leave out jellybeans and other soft, chewy candies that can dislodge sealants or fillings and are harder to remove from the tooth’s surface.
• Pack baskets with healthy alternatives, such as fruit or sugar-free candies and gum.
• Chocolate candies are also good choices in moderation, as chocolate melts quickly in the mouth, which minimizes the amount of time teeth are exposed to the sugar.
• Substitute candy with games, such as coloring books or outdoor toys for the warmer weather, including bubbles and sidewalk chalk.  Throw in a fun toothbrush as a great way to promote good dental health!
• Don’t let sugary treats sit in your mouth for too long. Stick with candy that dissolves quickly or is chewable. Bacteria in the mouth feed off of sugar to create acidic reactions, and when there is a lot of sugar sitting on your teeth for long periods of time, the acid can damage the teeth enamel.
• Parents may want to limit how much Easter candy their child can eat, especially if he or she ended up with a lot of egg-hunt loot!! What a brilliant idea to not become the “mean parent.” The amount of candy they consume is entirely up to them at this point.
• Try to have them eat all the candy they want in one sitting, and then get rid of the rest. Dragging out the candy consumption is actually worse for your teeth, because you’re consistently feeding sugar to the bacteria. If your kids eat a lot at once, then they can just brush their teeth and be done with it.

Whether you’re 5 or 35, Easter candy can be incredibly tempting. Who doesn’t indulge in a little chocolate bunny or an assortment of Peeps when spring is in the air? However, too much of a good thing can be a very bad thing - 92% of adults age 20-64 have had cavities in their permanent teeth. In fact, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, each person in that same age group has an average of 3.28 decayed or missing permanent teeth and 13.65 decayed and missing permanent surfaces. And it’s not just grown-ups: The Pew Center on the States says that about 60% of children have dental decay.

Abstaining from Easter candy is no fun for anybody. Asking a child to watch all their friends find and consume candy right in front of them while they’re left to munch on a celery stick is just cruel. You and your family can still enjoy the Easter season and keep your smiles healthy. Moderation is the key. Limit the amount of candy you and your child consume each day. Don’t graze on candy throughout the day; instead eat it in one sitting to reduce your mouth’s exposure to the harmful acids.  And if you must indulge, then brush your teeth immediately afterward.

A Family Dental Care Center: Dr. Seth Rosen

2030 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

drsethrosen.com