Easter is a holiday when we tend to overload on sugary sweets and ranks second among all holidays in total candy consumption, falling only to Halloween. In fact, Americans buy over 120 million pounds of candy each and every Easter. At our Memphis dental office, we want our patients to know that not all candy is bad for grins. But which ones should you eat and which should be avoided?
Eat: Hollow Chocolates
Hollow chocolates cut calories and limit sugar so you can indulge in chocolaty goodness while keeping your teeth, and your waistline, in tip-top shape. It doesn’t get much better than that! Whether it’s molded into a bunny, duck, or egg, hollow chocolate and its lower sugar content decreases the chance for dental decay. Want to make it even better? Use dark chocolate instead of milk. Dark chocolate has antioxidants which are good for the whole body.
Avoid: Gooey, Chewy, Sticky Stuff
Whether it’s gummies, caramels, or taffy, sticky sweets are some of the worst for teeth. They’re packed with sugar, and since they take longer to chew, teeth end up coated in it. What’s worse is the tacky texture allows tiny pieces to get wedged in crevices, and they’re hard to get out. The more sugar left on teeth, the higher chance of cavities.
Eat: Sugar-Free Snacks
This one is pretty self-explanatory. We know that sugar is the bad part of candy, so if you eat treats without the sugar, the better off you are. There are tons of delicious sugar-free options to choose from so you can still enjoy candy and keep your teeth healthy.
Avoid: Hard Candies
Hard candies like lollipops typically require a longer time to eat, leaving teeth exposed to sugar the entire time. The longer candy is in the mouth, the more likely it is to cause damage. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar and produce enamel-eroding acid in the process. It’s this acid that puts teeth at risk for decay and cavities. The texture of these candies also doesn’t help. They’re hard to chew and could result in a chipped or cracked tooth.
Following these tips can go a long way in keeping cavities away, but it’s still important to visit our Memphis dental office regularly. Exams at least every six months help catch any potential problems before they become big issues. Schedule your appointment today!
Serving patients from Memphis, Germantown, and Cordova.
