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Easter Goodies Don’t Have to Mean May Cavities

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Easter Goodies Don’t Have to Mean May Cavities

The Easter holiday is an exciting time for many children who wait to see what the Easter Bunny has brought them. Easter is a time to celebrate many different things, and candy and sugary treats are generally a part of that celebration. Even if Easter has come and gone, children tend to get enough candy to last them many days and even weeks. Learn what the connection is between candy and cavities and how you can limit your child’s sugar intake to reduce their likelihood of cavities.

Easter Goodies that Are So Sweet

Holidays are a wonderful time to get together as families and friends and celebrate traditions. Food and especially treats are usually at the center of that celebration, and many times there seems to be no end to the decadent desserts and candies. Besides Christmas and Halloween, Easter is one of the biggest holidays for eating treats. In fact, reports show that it is the second  most popular day of eating candy all year long. This is especially due to easter-egg hunts that provide candy filled eggs to children by the millions. Some fun facts about Easter goodies include:

  • 9 million chocolate bunnies are made for Easter each year.
  • Jelly beans are one of the most popular easter candies, with cherry being the most popular flavor.
  • The Peeps company sells 700 million marshmallow bunnies each year.
  • Americans consume around 16 billion jelly beans every Easter.
  • The amount of jelly beans sold can circle the earth 3 times if placed end-to-end.
  • Putting non-candy or food items in Easter baskets for children can reduce their chances for cavities.

 

easter basket full of candy eggs

Candy and Cavities

If you eat a sweet treat, it doesn’t automatically mean that you will get a cavity. However, many people know that sugar is related to tooth decay, which is the proper name for cavities. If you’re one of those people, then you are right. However, you can get cavities even if you don’t eat a lot of sugar. When you eat, the saliva in your mouth helps break down your food for digestion. However, your saliva also carries many different types of bacteria. Some bacteria mix with sugars in the foods you eat to form something called plaque. Plaque is a sticky, acidic substance that sticks to your teeth. It doesn’t come off your teeth either with simply drinking water. You have to physically brush it off your teeth and floss in between them to unstick the plaque.

Over time, if you don’t get rid of plaque it can become hard and turn into tartar, which is really tough to get off the teeth without the help of a dentist. When plaque sits on the teeth for a long period of time, the acids in it erode away your tooth enamel. The longer it stays there, the more erosion that takes place, and your teeth slowly decay. The hard outer enamel becomes weak and gets cracks in it that allows bacteria and plaque to get inside the tooth. Surface cavities then turn into severe inside decay that leads to infections. The more sugar you consume, the more plaque your mouth makes that sticks to teeth. So, in a way, candy does cause cavities, especially if you eat a lot of it.

Prevent Cavities

The bad part about tooth decay is that you can’t reverse it. You can only take out the decayed part of a tooth and fill it with dental material. However, you can prevent cavities in the first place. First, limit your sugar intake to reduce the amount of plaque your mouth makes. Second, make sure you are brushing and flossing your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once. However, you can brush and floss as much as you like. Some people are prone to cavities more than others depending on genetics. Fluoride products (toothpastes, mouthwashes, etc.) can help coat the teeth in a protective layer that helps prevent tooth decay and plaque buildup.

Patients can significantly reduce or eliminate cavities with brushing, flossing, fluoride, mouthwash, and visiting the dentist. See us at least twice a year for a comprehensive exam. If we catch cavities early, they never can grow large.

 

Young boy that is having his teeth looked at by a dentist

Limiting Sugar in the Future

Sugar can be sweet to the taste, but it can also destroy your teeth over time if you don’t take care of them. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a sweet treat now and then. Just don’t make it a major part of every day. Some studies suggest that if you’re going to eat a lot of candy, then it’s best to do it in one sitting instead of snacking on candy all throughout the day. We say that you should never binge on candy if you can help it. Have someone help you limit your sugar intake and do the same for small children. Easter brings large loads of candy. However, you can split up Easter goodies into separate plastic baggies and mark them for different days that they can be eaten. This is a great way to limit sugar intake while limiting how much sugar comes in contact with your teeth.

If you eat a lot of sweet treats on holidays such as Easter, balance out your diet with more veggies and protein during the day. Then, make sure you are brushing your teeth more on those days. Easter goodies (or goodies from any other holiday) don’t have to mean cavities later on. To get tips on how to strengthen and protect your teeth from tooth decay, call Mountain Aire Dentistry today at (303) 731-7755!


291 E Flatiron Crossing Dr,
Broomfield, CO 80021

(303) 731-7755

 

When you visit our Broomfield dental office, your smile is our top priority. Our Dentists invite you to experience the difference a warm and caring team can provide for you and your family. Enjoy a unique and comfortable dental experience designed to bring a healthier and happier smile back into your life. We invite you to call or visit our Broomfield dental office and discover the exceptional difference we offer to those we serve.