Tips For Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During Easter

Easter is a time for celebration, and it is also a time when candies, sugary treats, and other sweets abound. With sweets around, it is natural to want to indulge, but too much sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Listed below are some tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy while enjoying the Easter festivities.

Avoid Sticky Candy Treats

Hard candies, such as jelly beans or lollipops, are tough on teeth because they are hard to bite and chew. The sugar in these candies sticks to your teeth and causes tooth decay. Instead of traditional sweets, reach for chocolate-based treats that melt in your mouth like Hershey’s Kisses. These are less damaging to the teeth than sticky candy.

Drink Water After Eating Candy

After you indulge in your Easter candy, drink a glass of cool water. Staying hydrated will help to prevent tooth decay and cavities caused by bacteria in the mouth. Drinking water after you eat helps wash food particles from the mouth. You should also try to brush your teeth at least twice a day if not more. If you’re not able to brush right away, try chewing a piece of sugar-free gum. This will stimulate saliva production and neutralize the acids in your mouth after eating candy. Keep in mind that children who eat too much candy may end up with cavities. Make sure to keep an eye on how much candy your child eats, and be sure to schedule regular cleanings and exams at your dentist’s office.

Don’t Let Your Kids Eat Too Much Candy

Dental emergencies are most common during Halloween, but Easter candy can also be dangerous for teeth. Consider these tips to protect your child’s smile from too much sugar.

• It’s best if kids eat all their candy at once rather than snacking throughout the day. This is because chewing and saliva production help to wash away food debris from the teeth and gums before they have a chance to get stuck on teeth and cause decay. If kids snack all day, their teeth are constantly under attack by bacteria that are left behind.
• Make sure they are brushing after they eat candy. Brushing can remove plaque and food debris that can stick to teeth and cause cavities. It can also rid the mouth of excess acid that can damage tooth enamel.
• Try to find a sugar-free variety of their favorite candies or treats. They will still be able to enjoy the celebration without putting their oral health at risk.
• If they are eating chocolate, make sure that it is dark chocolate and not milk chocolate. Dark chocolate contains less sugar and is better for the mouth than milk chocolate.
• Inspect all hard-boiled eggs before allowing kids to eat them for meals. Any shells should be discarded as they can be accidentally swallowed and become lodged in the throat. Also, check that there is no evidence of cracks in the eggshell, which could signify the presence of salmonella bacteria.
• Rinse out their mouth with water after eating sticky candy like jelly beans. This will help to remove food residue and reduce the risk of gum problems.
• Avoid giving your kids any sort of sugary beverages or fruit juices. These are especially bad for the teeth because they bathe them in a liquid that contains a lot of sugar for a long period of time. The teeth are under constant attack from bacteria and acids in these drinks, and can cause tooth decay.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Ustick Dental Office, call (208) 375-8720 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit the dentist in Boise, ID, at 9733, W Ustick Rd, Boise, ID 83704.