woman taking a bite into a piece of chocolate

From sneaking the kids’ candy on Halloween to the last of the holiday party desserts, for many of us, it truly is the sweetest time of the year. But have you stopped to think about the tricks the sugar in those treats is playing on your teeth?

While no one’s suggesting you must forego sweets altogether, you can minimize the sugar overload that so often happens during holiday celebrations.

How to Eat Candy Safely During the Holidays 

Since few people are going to give up candy completely unless they need to for health reasons, it’s good to know there are some types that are less harmful than others. Try to avoid sticky candies like taffy, gummies, and caramels. They tend to get stuck between the teeth and are harder to remove. Sour candies are highly acidic, so it’s good to avoid them, too. Finally, don’t chew hard candies. They can break your teeth and, because they last longer in the mouth, there’s more time for cavity-causing bacteria to do their thing.

Your best bet is probably chocolate because it easily washes off your teeth. Dark chocolate is ideal because it has less sugar.

Does Sugar Cause Bacteria in the Mouth?

Sugar attracts bacteria since they use it as an energy source. While bacteria sit in your mouth, it’ll begin to create plague and release acidic substances as a waste product, that’ll erode your tooth enamel.

Sugar can also attract bacteria related to gingivitis and gum disease that causes your gums to recede, destroying the protective tissues that hold your teeth in place.

Does Candy Weaken Your Teeth?

Sugar doesn’t create cavities, but it does create the conditions that make them happen. When you eat sweets, the harmful bacteria in your mouth feed off the candy’s sugar and create acids which erode your tooth enamel. The resulting holes, or cavities, get worse over time if left untreated, and can lead to tooth decay.

Can Sugary Drinks Hurt Your Teeth?

Sodas and fruit juices are the go-to beverages for a lot of adults and children but drinking too many of them can cause a host of dental problems. In fact, even an occasional sugary drink can have negative effects on your teeth. As acids eat away at the enamel, your teeth become thinner and weaker, and the likelihood of cavities increases.

Specifically, in cases of drinks that contain a lot of sugar, they’ll leave a sticky film over your entire mouth, which can significantly increase your chances of getting cavities. Even drinking one or two sugary drinks a day will still impact your teeth negatively. This is especially true for drinks that contain high fructose corn syrup which is found in many sodas and sugar-sweetened drinks.

Prevent Dental Problems with Healthy Habits 

There are several things you can do at home to help your teeth survive the holidays.

  • Drink lots of water to minimize some of the harmful effects of sugar.
  • Eat candy immediately after mealtime. This increase saliva production which helps wash away particles and cancels those pesky acids.
  • Brushing, flossing, and rinsing after eating sweets removes enamel-eating bacteria. One caveat: for acidic candy and beverages, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing otherwise you could damage your tooth enamel.

One of the best ways to keep teeth cavity-free and prevent gum disease is with regular visits to the dentist. Twice-yearly checkups can catch any potential tooth problems before they turn into serious issues. To learn more or to schedule an appoint, contact Kanehl Dental Group today.