At this time of year, with extra sweets around, brushing and flossing are particularly important.
Candy can be hard on teeth, no matter what kind you choose. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Chocolate is probably your best bet! Dr. Drummond says that “chocolate is one of the better candies because it washes off your teeth more easily than other types of candy”.
Sticky candies may stick to teeth and so teeth are exposed to sugar for a longer time.
Hard candies dissolve slowly and sugar lingers longer in your mouth.
Sour candies are acidic. Acidity can weaken teeth and make them more vulnerable to cavities.
To help protect your teeth remember:
• Choose treats that are eaten quickly and that don’t stick to teeth.
• Limit sticky, hard or acidic candies.
• Carefully brush your teeth – twice daily for at least 2 minutes each time.
• Floss daily.
Limit eating candy to the first 48 hours after Halloween. Saving the candy and eating a bit each day prolongs the sugar exposure to the teeth which in turn increases the risk of cavities. It is especially important to be brushing your teeth frequently during the period of eating more candy.
