What are some of the scariest things lurking in October? How about skeletons that seem to multiply overnight in your neighbor’s yard, creepy costumes, and sugary treats hiding in your kitchen?
Well, maybe the sugary treats hiding in your kitchen aren’t too scary. I mean, who is afraid of a bag of sour candy or a chocolate bar?
Your Teeth Should Be Afraid, Very Afraid!
But here’s the truth. You do not have to be afraid of every sugary treat. If you eat it in moderation, your teeth can stay healthy, and you can enjoy a little something not so good for you. But sugar can play some not-so-great “tricks” for your teeth, especially when you nibble, sip, and snack on it throughout the day.
The Attack of the Sugary Treats Begins
Did you know that your mouth is home to millions of bacteria? Some of those bacteria just love sugar. It might even love it as much as you do. When bacteria get enough sugar (it only needs a little bit), the bacteria produce acids that attack your teeth enamel.
Why is that a problem? Think of your enamel as the protective suit of armour surrounding your teeth. When your teeth are exposed to those acids, the armour gets hit with a tiny assault. Over time, those repeated attacks can cause cavities.
This is where the real horror story starts.
It’s Not About How Much Sugar You Eat
How often you have sugary treats is the real twist here.
- Option one: Let’s say you have a few pieces of candy after you eat lunch.
- Option two: You eat a bag of candy off and on all day long until it’s gone.
Option two is exposing your teeth to repeated sugar throughout the day. This creates more opportunities for acid attacks, leading to cavities.
If you’re going to eat candy or other sugary treats, it’s generally better for your teeth and your gut to eat it with a protein-rich meal, which helps the sugar be absorbed better in your system and also not hang out on your teeth as much. Plus, you will probably rinse your mouth or brush after that meal.
Sticky, Sweet…and Stuck
Particularly troublesome are the sugary treats that like to hang around.
These include: Caramels, gummies, and other similar sticky candies.
Hard candies have their own well-known scary reputation for causing cracked teeth. But if you’re one of the people who doesn’t chew them, they still leave your tooth enamel exposed to sugar for a longer period as they slowly dissolve in your mouth.
Let’s not forget sugary drinks. While you’re slowly sipping on that ice-cold sweet tea, lemonade, or energy drink, you’re slowly exposing your teeth to all that sugar and acid.
Your teeth are happier with “treats and done” versus “treats, more treats, repeat.”
Don’t Let Sugar be the Winner of this Story
Is there any good news regarding all the sweet things that appear in October and the coming holiday season? Here are some simple tricks to deal with your treats.
- Try having your sugary treats with a meal, rather than snacking on them alone.
- Avoid sipping sugar-filled drinks for hours on end.
- Drink water and rinse your mouth out after a meal, drink, and sugary treats.
- Try to brush your teeth at least twice a day and don’t forget to floss.
- Don’t forget to visit us (your friendly dental office) on a regular basis.
The month of October, Halloween, and the coming holidays can be a fun time filled with lots of sweet sugary treats. Go ahead and enjoy a treat every now and then. Just remember the simple tricks we listed above to help stop bacteria and cavities in their tracks.
Remember, sugary treats may be sweet, but that doesn’t mean they’re sweet for your teeth.
And if your smile is a little…well…haunted, Mid Cities Dental is here to help!