Candy, chocolate, baked goods, soda, and so many more sweet options are delicious but can be very harmful for your dental health. When talking about sweets we have to begin with Valentine’s Day. Being in the month of February it’s only topical we discuss the differences in how to enjoy the sweets AND take care of your dental health. Beginning with giving some basic tips and tricks to having a nice balance with Valentine’s Day and good shiny teeth!
What to avoid eating in excess and why:
- Soda- the acid and sugar can cause breakdown of the teeth, and the enamel can be worn off after time and too much consumption. We recommend getting diet or sugar free colas- and even better- the health-aid style drinks like Poppi and Sparkling Ice.
- Candy- high sugar candy can cause buildup, sores, cavities, and even decay in the worst cases. Candy is delicious and can be enjoyed, but we always recommend gum, flossing, or both after enjoying those sweet treats. On top of that, there are options for sugar free, organic and even teeth-friendly candy on the market. It helps if you have any sugar free gum and sugar free mints as it can kill the bad bacteria in the mouth and prevent cavities from causing pain and potentially stops cavities from forming. Even so, always remember to floss, brush, and drink plenty of water.
- Sugary baked goods- we all love baked goods made from family or your favorite bakery but with the high amounts of sugar they can cause buildup and cavities in excess. With baked goods they can have lots of parts that can get lodged in between the gum and teeth, be hard to floss out, and hard to remove from the surface. With baked goods we recommend having the best treats in moderation, or swapping for sugar free baking chips, sweeteners, and always floss and brush after eating sugar.
- Sweet coffee– these drinks are wonderful and definitely fun to have. The sugar like aforementioned can cause cavities, tooth decay, and pain. The coffee itself is still an issue, as the acid in it can cause the breakdown and damage of the tooth enamel, which protects from breakage and cavity formation.
- Juices- juice is a great sugar drink to increase blood sugar levels, help with vitamin consumption and more. But the same applies for juice as soda- the acid and sugar can still cause cavities and break down the top surface level of the tooth that protects it from bacteria and cavity formation.
While sugary treats and sweets are great, just consume in moderation and consider your dental health. There is always room for watching for issues and pain in your teeth, which is why we hope the alternatives help give options and variety for those still looking to enjoy the delicious treats- no matter what month.
