Why is candy known to be bad for teeth?
At Bellavista DentalCare in Phoenix, Arizona, we guide our patients to know what candies to avoid and what oral care should be given after eating candy.
What candies to avoid
There are many candies that should be avoided all together. The worst, from a dental standpoint, are lollipops. Sucking on any type of sugar for a long period of time creates the perfect environment for tooth decay to develop. Sugar induces acid, so if that lollipop is in the mouth for a long time, the environment in the mouth will remain acidic thus breaking down the enamel. In addition, the bacteria that promotes decay loves and thrives in an acidic environment. The location of tooth decay often seen with prolonged time of sugar exposure is along the gumline. The candies that take a long time to dissolve do not allow the mouth to neutralize quickly and should be avoided.
Sticky candies are terrible from a dental standpoint as well. Taffies, candied apples, caramel, and gummie type candies are some examples of sticky candies. Sticky candies are not quickly dissolved in the mouth by saliva, and get stuck in the grooves on top of the teeth. This causes sugar induced acid to develop in the grooves, breaking down the enamel. Also, bacteria thrives and proliferates with sugar; the more bacteria, the more acid byproducts of the bacteria causing tooth decay. The location of tooth decay often seen with sticky candies is between the teeth and in the grooves of teeth. Our team at Bellavista Dentalcare encourages our Phoenix patients to avoid sticky candies in order to prevent tooth decay.
Hard candies are another nightmare for tooth health. Some examples of hard candies, which can be sticky too, are taffies, peanut brittle, and hard clear candies (such as Jolly Ranchers). At Bellavista Dentalcare in Phoenix, Arizona, we have seen these candies cause teeth to break and chip, fillings to break and fall out, and crowns and veneers to come out. Healthy, non-restored teeth can typically withstand trauma from biting on something hard, but teeth that have been worked on or have worn down, may not be strong enough to withstand the hard forces. Sticky hard candies will grip onto crowns and may cause them to loosen. At BellaVista Dentalcare, we request our patients to avoid hard candies as a general rules.
How to care for your teeth after eating the above type of candies?
At Bellavista Dentalcare in Phoenix Arizona, we teach our patients to drink water after consuming these candies. Wait 30 minutes for the saliva to neutralize after eating the candies, then brush and floss your teeth to ensure all candy is removed from the surfaces of the teeth. If lollipop type candies are consumed, try to eat them within a 10 -15 minute period, then drink lots of water to neutralize the mouth and wash away the sugar. In all cases, it is best to consume candies immediately after or during a meal, to allow the mouth to have 3-4 hours break to for the saliva to neutralize. Brush your teeth with ADA approve toothpaste twice a day and floss with fluoride impregnated floss twice a day.
Conclusion
It is important to make sure you are up to date with your professional cleanings during this candy season. Consider scheduling your next dental checkup with us atĀ BellaVista DentalCare. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized and comprehensive dental care to help you achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Donāt wait until a problem arises; take proactive steps to protect your oral health today. ContactĀ BellaVista DentalCareĀ to schedule your appointment and experience the benefits of regular dental checkups with ourĀ AhwatukeeĀ dentist.