Chocolate rabbits, jellybeans, cream-filled eggs, marshmallow peeps...shoppers across the country have been filling their carts with their favorite treats for the annual Easter festivities. According to the National Confectioners Association, nearly 90 percent of adults plan to give Easter candy baskets to their children.
As you enjoy these tasty, confectionary treats, Ameritas Group Dental in Lincoln, Neb., and Dr. Bruce Condello with Family Dental in Lincoln, Neb., remind you to thoroughly brush your teeth following the consumption of Easter goodies.
"I always encourage patients to brush after every meal, especially if it involves candy," Condello says. "Failure to brush gives bacteria an open invitation to your mouth and develops decay on tooth surfaces."
Easter celebrations provide opportunities for people of all ages to snack all day on their favorite candies. "After a day of high sugar consumption, everyone should be careful to thoroughly brush their teeth to remove all sugary materials," Condello explains. "The worst thing we can do to our teeth is to have a sugary treat near bedtime and forget to follow up with vigorous and effective brushing. Only water should be consumed at bedtime once teeth are brushed."
Individuals with braces have more surfaces for sugary debris to accumulate on teeth. "It's imperative that all food materials, especially candy, are removed from the brackets to avoid tooth decay," Condello explains. "I also encourage orthodontics patients to avoid gooey candy items that can get stuck in their braces and cause additional dental and decay problems."
This Easter, enjoy your favorite chocolate bunnies, peeps, and jellybeans, but remember to keep your toothbrush handy to ward off bacteria that would like to enjoy any excess sugar on your teeth.
