Keep Teeth Healthy During Easter

Religious observances, the Easter Bilby (or bunny!) or watching children hunt for eggs are among the events we associate with Easter.

We rarely think of Easter as a threat, but it can be scary for a parent (or adult with a sweet tooth!) to enter a store around the Easter season.

So much sugary junk is available, all in bright, attractive colours and near cash registers. Easter candy is a big business, and our teeth are lost.

It’s easy to think, “Oh, just this once.” However, this mindset can have long-term effects on habits and health.

Sugar is terrible for your teeth and health in most cases, and the sheer amount of it around on Easter, and how sticky, sweet, and sometimes hard it is, can pose various threats to your health.

In this post, Bondi Dental will provide the scoop on Easter candies and six quick ways to deal with the threat of a sugar-saturated Easter.

How Easter Treats Affect Your Teeth

The bacteria in your mouth are probably more thrilled to eat Easter treats than you are.

A weak acid is produced when the bacteria consume the sugar and leftover food particles in your mouth. That acid contributes to the formation of cavities.

Chewy candies. Chewy or sticky candies are more likely to stick to the teeth and get stuck between them, lengthening their exposure to sugar.

These candies can also damage fillings, crowns, and other dental appliances. So avoid treats like jellybeans, taffy, gummy candies, and sweets featuring marshmallow or caramel.

Hard candies pose a threat similar to chewy candies—they take a long time to dissolve and expose teeth to sugar for extended periods.

Chewing hard candy can lead to pieces stuck between teeth, exposing more of the surface to sugar.

Hard candy poses other threats; biting down on hard candy can lead to lost fillings, broken dental appliances, and cracked teeth.

Sugar-filled candies. These are the general threats – the sugar in them is eaten by bacteria and excreted into substances that form plaque and attack the teeth.

These threats are true of any food with a lot of sugar – sodas, cakes, energy drinks, etc.

Sour candies. These candies can be very acidic, weakening and damaging tooth enamel and making teeth vulnerable to cavities.

Smarter Easter Treat Choices

Some candies are less damaging to your teeth than others. Here are some candies that are good for you (in moderation!):

Sugar-free candies are a great compromise—they are far smarter for your teeth but still allow you a little indulgence.

With no sugar, you are less likely to get harmful bacteria. And since these candies stimulate the salivary glands, they can help fight cavities instead of leading to them. The same is true of sugar-free gum.

Dark chocolate. Organic dark chocolate with a sugar content of no more than 6-8 grams per serving can be healthy. It contains flavonoids to slow tooth decay and antioxidants to fight gum disease. Don’t go overboard, but if you have candy, choose dark chocolate.

Six Tips for a Healthy Teeth Easter

1. No grazing. It is far better to eat your candy all at once. This limits how long it is on your teeth. Eating candy with a meal is better, as the other food and increased saliva protect your teeth.
2. Rinse with water. Surprisingly, immediate brushing can harm your teeth, as candy temporarily softens tooth enamel. Wait about 30 minutes for the enamel to harden back up. In the meantime, rinse with water, which helps sluice out the mouth and maintain a healthy pH. Water is your best friend in other ways—drinking water before meals can reduce hunger, and drinking while you eat helps keep your teeth clean.
3. Stay in your routine. Floss once and brush twice daily, as always. Don’t let the excitement of the holiday break your oral health routine.
4. Eat “cleansing” foods. “Crunchy” fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery stimulate saliva production, which helps to protect the teeth from bacteria by breaking down and washing away sugars. Alternatively, enjoy a small piece of cheese, which helps neutralise the acids that cause tooth decay.
5. Control what you eat with breakfast. No matter how ‘out of control’ your exposure to snacking might be, or how many enormous family or friendly meals you are invited to, you have control over breakfast. So be sure to get your nutrients during breakfast, and don’t add sugar as cereals or additives to your coffee or tea.
6. Visit your Bondi dentist. Once Easter is over and the Easter Bilby is gone, make appointments for your whole family at Bondi Dental. We’ll give your teeth a good check-up and clean and recommend treatment if necessary. This is one of the best ways of ensuring your dental health for Easter and beyond.

Keep Your Smile Bright in Bondi

At Bondi Dental, we’re committed to helping you maintain healthy teeth on Easter and beyond. Our experienced team provides high-quality preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to maintain the appearance of your smile.

Call us on (02) 9365 7187 or book your appointment online.

We are located at 134 Curlewis St in Bondi Beach.