With spring right around the corner, people are preparing their yards, decorating their homes, and buying delicious treats in preparation for Easter. With kids eager to see what is inside their baskets, they’re often more excited about hunting eggs that are scattered in various hiding places throughout the yard. Once cracked open, they’re often met with chocolate, Jelly Beans, and other similar sweet treats, but have you considered what these bite-size goodies can do to one’s teeth? Keep reading to find out which four Easter candies might sabotage your smile if you’re not careful.
Which Easter Candies Should Be Enjoyed in Small Quantities?
No one is saying you can’t have a little bit of sugar on Easter. However, if you want you and your children to maintain a cavity-free smile, you’ll want to be mindful of how much you consume, especially when eating the following:
- Jelly Beans: They may be colorful, but these gummy candies can stick to your teeth, allowing sugar to embed within the pits and grooves of the chewing surfaces. What’s worse is if you or your children have dental sealants or fillings, their sticky consistency can pull these restorations out!
- Large Chocolate Bunny: For many, it’s not Easter without an oversized chocolate bunny; however, this level of excess can be harmful to your teeth. Allowing yourself or your child to enjoy a small portion is fine, but you’ll want to be careful about how dense and hard they are, as they can accidentally break a tooth.
- Peeps: Designed to look like bunnies or chicks, these marshmallow treats come in a variety of colors, but their pure sugar substance makes them a haven for bacteria and plaque to form. Also, their stickiness will likely adhere to tooth enamel, making it harder to remove.
- Suckers: Much in the same way all these other treats can wreak havoc on teeth, so can Easter suckers. Filled with sugar and hard to consume, not only do you put your smile at risk for cavities but also significant damage.
What Are Some Healthier Alternatives?
Instead of filling an Easter basket or plastic eggs with the items listed above, consider alternative items that will not only keep everyone happy but also reduce the chances of facing an unexpected dental bill this time of year.
You can try:
- Organize freeze-dried fruits
- Sugar-free gum (for children who are old enough)
- Granola bars
- Fruit strips
- Sugar-free squeeze pouches
- Meat sticks
- Whole fruit
Also, you can opt for non-food items like paints and craft supplies or bubbles and various seeds for gardening.
While hunting Easter eggs and going through baskets are primarily enjoyed by children, parents also reap the benefits by snacking on some of the sweet treats found along the way. In doing so, be mindful of how much everyone is eating so that a trip to the emergency dentist’s office isn’t a part of your holiday plans.
About the Author
Dr. Bryan Friedland is a dentist in Pembroke Pines with more than a decade of experience. Offering family dentistry that focuses on improving the smiles and oral health of patients of all ages, he and his team are here to provide restorative solutions, even when the consumption of holiday treats goes a little too far. Whether it’s a dental filling or a custom crown that is required, we can deliver beautiful results that remain effective for years. If you need help to address dental decay or damage, contact us at (954) 450-6640.