The Easter holidays will be here very soon. For many people, especially children and plenty of adults, Easter means just one thing: chocolate! Traditionally, chocolate was often a reward after giving it up for Lent, but nowadays, more of us are likely to indulge in the sweet stuff leading up to this holiday. While a little chocolate occasionally probably won’t do much harm, eating large quantities of it, especially over a long period, can negatively impact teeth. Children often receive lots of chocolate from well-meaning friends and family. If you are concerned about how much candy will be consumed over Easter, follow these easy tips to help maintain healthy teeth in Newcastle.
Keep Chocolate for Main Meals Only
With the amount of chocolate around Easter, it can be tempting to snack on it every few hours. Please resist and instead try only to eat chocolate as part of a main meal. There is a very good reason for this as every time we eat something sugary, it makes the mouth more acidic, and it remains more acidic for up to an hour afterwards. The acid weakens tooth enamel, and repeated exposure to acids eventually causes enamel erosion, leading to cavities. When you include chocolate as part of a main meal, your mouth is already more acidic, and you are already producing more saliva that helps wash away excess sugars and restores a more normal pH more quickly.
Drink Water for Better Dental Health
Encourage kids to drink water at mealtimes, especially after eating chocolate or other candies. Water helps to wash away excess foods and sugars. It also helps to support saliva production, which is important for good oral health in Clarington.
Think about Purchasing Low Sugar Chocolate
These days, many people are trying to reduce the amount of sugar they consume. There are numerous brands of low sugar and sugar-free candies or no-sugar added chocolates available. These can help satisfy a craving for something sweet without harming your teeth.
Choose Chocolate over Chewy Candies
While chocolate might be sugar-laden, it can be a better alternative than very chewy or sticky candies. Anything chewy or sticky tends to hang around, ensuring the mouth remains acidic for longer. Also, these candies can be very difficult to brush and floss away. Hard candy can be equally harmful, and dentists in Courtice will often see patients who have broken or chipped teeth on hard candy. Chocolate is a safer option because it melts easily and is more quickly washed away.
Ensure Eating Chocolate Doesn’t Become a Habit
No matter how much chocolate your kids receive for Easter, make sure it doesn’t become a regular habit and that there are plenty of healthier and more nutritious foods readily available. Providing children with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals helps to get them into the habit of eating healthily, providing a good foundation for excellent oral and general health as they go through life.
Plan Ahead for Trips Away
If you are going on a road trip this Easter, plan ahead and make sure you have plenty of healthy snack foods and sugar-free drinks for the journey. This helps prevent the temptation of stopping for sugary foods that are easy to grab and go.
Choose Alternatives to Easter Candy
Easter doesn’t have to be about chocolate, and you could discuss having non-edible treats instead. You may even find your children prefer this option. Choices could include books, small action figures, small toys or hair accessories, or a family day out.