6 Tips for Healthy Teeth This Easter

Easter is an important date on the Christian calendar and a holiday opportunity for many of us.

But for most of us, it is also a visit from the Easter Bilby/Bunny and offers plenty of opportunities for candy and chocolate!

Chocolate is historically tied to Easter, as it was a tasty treat for people who had completed fasting during Lent.

Today, most of this association is gone, and our children think of chocolate and candy as sweet treats associated with bilbies/bunnies and baskets.

Unfortunately, the sugar in candy is unsuitable for our teeth or overall health.

We want you to know the hidden dangers of Easter’s sweet candies and how to protect your teeth and health during Easter week.

The Dangers Of Sugar

The World Health Organisation recommends keeping “free sugars” to less than 10% of our daily energy intake. For the average adult, this is about 12 teaspoons daily.

Over half of Australian adults exceed this limit. And that’s just in daily life! But a lot of extra sugar can be hidden in Easter candy.

Here are some examples:

• Marshmallow Eggs (1 egg) – 4 teaspoons each
• Dark Chocolate Eggs (43 grams) – 5 teaspoons
• Cadbury Creme Eggs (1 egg) – 5 teaspoons
• Russell Stover Marshmallow Eggs (1 egg) – 4 teaspoons
• Peeps Marshmallow Bunnies (4 tiny bunnies) – 6.5 teaspoons
• M&M’s Milk Chocolate Eggs (42 grams) – 7 teaspoons
• Jelly Beans (40 grams) – 7 teaspoons

So what’s the danger? Here are just five dangers of sugar (There are many, MANY more!)

Increased obesity risk. Sugar is exceptionally high in calories, and Easter can kick this into overdrive.

In addition to adding extra calories to your diet, sugar triggers an insulin response that blocks hormones in your body that make you feel full, which leads to eating more.

Sugar crashes. Sugar rushes through your system, bringing short-term energy that leads to a “crash” about 30 minutes later.

These surges are uncomfortable and unhealthy, eventually causing insulin resistance and even diabetes.

Feeding oral bacteria. Sugar is the primary food source for the oral bacteria that dissolve your dental enamel. It can also lead to oral infections, decay, and periodontal diseases.

Dangerous illnesses. Sugar can even put you at a higher risk of severe diseases, including kidney disease, cancer, and even liver failure.

Cognitive Decline. Studies demonstrate that eating excessive sugar can cause brain fog and cognitive decline.

Cavities! I think your Campbelltown dentist has made this precise time and time again!

So, what can you do? Here are our six tips!

Maintaining good oral health during the Easter Holidays is as easy as following these six tips from A Plus Dental:

1. Wait before brushing your teeth. Eating often, which Easter often leads to as you snack on candy, weakens tooth enamel and brushing directly afterwards is worse. If you wait half an hour after you have eaten to brush, saliva has a chance to neutralise acids, re-hardening the enamel.
2. Drink lots of water. Water helps to rinse food particles from your mouth and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Drinking water after eating or snacking is a great strategy
3. Sugar-free chewing gum. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can keep teeth cleaner and breath fresher. Sugar-free gum is also good because it can help to remove food particles from the crevices of your teeth.
4. Healthy snacks, clean teeth! Apples, celery, carrots, and cheese are some snacks that support oral health. They promote saliva production, which helps clean your teeth!
5. Choose dark chocolate. If you eat chocolate, make it dark chocolate, preferably organic, with a sugar content of no more than 6-8 grams per serving. There are health benefits to eating dark chocolate in moderation, such as dark chocolate, which contains flavonoids that have been demonstrated to slow tooth decay. Dark chocolate also contains antioxidants, and it’s been shown that having higher levels of antioxidants in your saliva can help fight gum disease.
6. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning. Visit us twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning! This helps reduce and fix any damage sugar (or other dental threats) may have done to you, saving you time and money down the road!

Oral Health in Campbelltown

A Plus Dental believes in honesty, compassion, trust, and comfort. We offer caring, relaxing treatments in a comfortable environment.

When you choose A Plus Dental, you take the next step towards a beautiful, healthy smile with teeth that feel great in your mouth!!

We have over 30 years of combined experience and treat each patient with the utmost care and respect.

Call us on (02) 4627 3833 or book your appointment online today. We are located at Suite 3/300 Queen Street in Campbelltown.