Easter weekend is just around the corner, and whilst we can’t count on the weather being sunny over the bank holiday weekend, I’m sure most of us are guaranteed to be enjoying some chocolate and sweet treats!
While this can be bad news for our teeth, there are things you can do to lessen the impact.
Many people enjoy filling up an Easter basket with treats for their children. It’s worthwhile to note that a basket filled with chocolate is better for your teeth than one filled with sticky sweets like wine gums and Maoams! This is because sticky sweets and long-lasting hard boiled sweets can lead to an acid attack on teeth for up to 20 minutes after they have melted away. They also carry the added risk of loosening any existing fillings or damaging braces. Prolonged exposure to sugary treats can contribute to the development of cavities in children’s teeth. While we know that chocolate is also high in sugar, it melts and washes away fairly quickly compared to other types of sweet, allowing the mouth to neutralize the acid more quickly and lessen the likelihood of tooth decay.
Watch out for super-sour sweets as these are very acidic and can cause more damage to teeth than other sweets. Sugar free sweets or chewing gum might be a good alternative option.
Whichever treats you or your children decide to enjoy, it’s helpful to know that a glass of water or milk can help rinse sugar away from the teeth after eating sweets or chocolate. Above all, make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day to make sure they are completely clean, and make sure you come to see us for check-ups and hygiene visits as often as we recommend so we can spot any potential issues early on.