Easter Candy and Dental Health

It’s almost Easter, and that means loads of yummy, sugary treats arriving in a basket near you. And who doesn’t want to indulge a little this time of year? It can be awfully hard to resist a creamy chocolate bunny or a fluffy marshmallow Peep when you get down to it. And really, no one should have to. Like anything, it’s really all about moderation when it comes to indulging your sweet tooth, and there are plenty of ways to keep tooth decay at bay if you find you need to sneak a sweet treat now and then. Here are a few tips to help you get started!

- Whenever you snack on Easter candy, enjoy it, but don’t let it sit on your teeth for too long. Things like jawbreakers, suckers, or gummy candy (hello, jellybeans and Peeps!) are the worst enemy of tooth enamel as they either require a long time to eat, or stick easily to teeth. It’s always better to choose a treat that either quickly dissolves or can be chewed. So that chocolate bunny or peanut butter egg really might be your best bet! No matter what you choose as a treat, be sure to brush and floss as quickly as possible afterward to remove any remaining sugar. Bacteria that causes cavities LOVES sugar, so you don’t want it in your mouth any longer than necessary. At the very least, be sure to drink lots of water to wash the sugar away.

- Try not to snack on candy throughout the day. Kids are especially prone to snacking out of their Easter baskets for days at a time after the bunny has arrived. It’s always best to do all of your sugary damage at once; that way you can brush it all away at the same time. Eating sticky, sugary foods over the course of the day can be very damaging to teeth, as the sugar is never fully removed from the mouth.

- Consider alternatives to Easter candy. Instead of filling up baskets and plastic eggs with jellybeans and chocolate, consider stickers, high-bounce rubber balls, sugar-free gum, temporary tattoos, sidewalk chalk and crayons, or even bubbles.

But the most important thing to think about this Easter is just enjoying time with your friends and family. Happy Easter, to all who celebrate!