Chocolate bunnies. Jelly beans. Peanut butter eggs. Candy marshmallows. We’re not trying to make your mouth water, we just want you to only remember the delicious candy flavor after Easter—and not all the cavities. That’s why we’ve put together these tips that can keep you and your family’s teeth healthy (and cavity-free!).
Resist the temptation to continually snack
A jellybean here. Just a few chocolate eggs. Grabbing a few pieces of candy from time to time may seem like a good idea, but it can be very bad for your teeth. Grazing throughout the day can trigger continual “storms” in your mouth. Bacteria in your mouth combine with food (or candy) that sits on your teeth and creates plaque which includes acid. The acid in the plaque eats holes in your tooth (tooth decay) called cavities. This is one of the few times where it’s better to enjoy your fill of candy than to continually dig in.
Drink water
Water is not only good for your body, it’s good for your teeth too. Drinking water (not flavored water) after enjoy a sugary drink or treat can wash away food particles and help avoid dry mouth, both of which are causes of cavities. For an added bonus, treat yourself to fluoridated water which strengthens teeth enamel and keeps cavities at bay.
Brush, brush, brush (and floss!)
Even if you drink water, always brush your teeth after indulging in your Easter candy. Brush your teeth twice a day, and floss to remove any leftover food particles. A fluoridated mouthwash can also wash food particles away and strengthen tooth enamel.
To make sure everyone’s teeth are clean after enjoying Easter candy, make brushing teeth a family event. When all the excitement of Easter has died down, role model good tooth brushing technique for your kids. Double check their brushing job, and floss together so you’re all healthy. If your kids are still resistant, use fun brushing apps and games to make sure they brush well for two minutes.
In addition to sticking to a solid oral hygiene routine, make sure you have regular cleaning appointments scheduled with your dentist. A professional teeth cleaning can clean off plaque (even in hard-to-reach areas) which can lead to tooth decay.
Give (fun!) non-candy Easter gifts
If you don’t want to deal with the temptation of Easter candy, ask the Easter Bunny to deliver non-candy Easter gifts. Kids love pencils, pens, bubbles, glow sticks, and gift certificates for tunes or other favorite hobbies. (We’ve listed some common favorite Easter ideas in a recent post.) One of the hugest benefits of a non-candy Easter gift is that kids can have fun—without any risk of cavities that can really put a damper on Easter fun.
