Easter egg hunts will begin soon, and we know from having our own children and discussing Easter baskets with yours that our children’s teeth will be bombarded with sugar very soon.
Candy is everywhere, just like it is around Halloween. Easter bunny gummies, Easter egg chocolates, Peeps, and brightly colored candies… We know that many of these treats will be consumed by children in the near future, and most likely in greater quantities and frequency than at other times. We simply recommend paying a little more attention to oral hygiene during this time, and we have some suggestions for treats that are less damaging to the teeth.
Choose sweets that will not stick to your teeth and stay with you.
Chocolates that melt in the mouth, or chocolate with nuts or crunchy shells that reduce stickiness, are all preferable to sticky, hard candy that can lodge between teeth or in the crevices of teeth. They are also consumed in shorter periods of time than lollipops, which can take hours to finish!
Gummies and dried fruit contain a combination of acid and sweetness. Not to mention the little bits that can get stuck between your child’s teeth until he or she brushes and flosses.
Consider dark chocolate (high in antioxidants) or home-made baked goods sweetened with fruit, coconut sugar, or xylitol as an alternative to the foil-wrapped extravaganza lining the store aisles if your child wants to try some alternative sweets to the foil-wrapped extravaganza lining the store aisles (you control the sugar content more this way).
Allow them to eat treats only with/after meals.
The saliva flow from the meal will help neutralize the acid from the sweets, as will the friction from chewing other foods, which will help wash away any sugars and acids.
Serve plenty of water alongside or after the treats.
In the long run, children who are taught to dilute acid and sugar after consuming sugary/acidic foods will have fewer cavities. Teach them to swish their teeth vigorously with water to rinse them. This is especially useful if you are unable to brush your teeth right away because you are not at home.
Wait 30 minutes to an hour after eating candy before brushing your teeth.
Tooth enamel is very strong, but it is composed of minerals that deteriorate when exposed to acids. As a result, we recommend that everyone wait 30 minutes after eating acidic foods before brushing their teeth to prevent abrasive toothpaste from wearing away enamel that has been temporarily weakened by the acid attack. Water consumption after acid exposure reduces the acid’s effect, and brushing can occur sooner after eating when water is swished to help raise the pH of the mouth back to normal.
Enjoy a variety of healthy alternatives
Boil, color, and eat the eggs with your children. Many children enjoy hard boiled eggs. Because they are decorated, many children regard them as a treat! Bunnies adore broccoli and carrots; you can decorate with them for the Easter bunny while also serving them as tasty, crunchy treats!
We at Houston Pediatric Dental Specialists wish you and your family a very Happy Easter!