Do you have a sweet tooth? A sweet treat now and then is a perfectly acceptable way to indulge in that sweet tooth; however, the kind of treats you pick can affect your oral health. We already know that sweets and desserts tend to be high in sugar, but candy – especially hard candy – can negatively affect your teeth. Here’s the scoop on what’s in your candy dish.

Types of candy

Candy is a large category of sweets that encompasses everything from chocolate bars to truffles to lollipops and butterscotch candies. Not all candy affects your oral health in the same way.

• Sticky or chewy candy, including gummy type candies, caramels, taffy, toffees: These types can dislodge dental and orthodontic appliances.
• Chocolates
• Hard candies, including peppermints, butterscotches, lollipops, lozenges

Why is hard candy bad for my teeth?

Most candies are created with a base of sugar and fat. Softer candies tend to have more fat than the hard candies (i.e., soft caramel has more butter and cream than the hard caramels). The hard candies have much more sugar; this is part of what makes them hard.

However, all of that sugar creates the perfect environment for cavities. Not only is there an increased amount of sugar, but the sugar sits for a prolonged time on the teeth while the hard candy melts and dissolves in the mouth.

The link between sugar and cavities

Sugar by itself does not create a cavity, but sugar does feed the bacteria that cause cavities. As the bacteria feed on sugar, they produce acid, and it is that acid that eats away at the tooth enamel.

What kind of candy can I eat?

We get it; no one wants to hear that they have to ban candy forever, but choosing the right candy and taking the necessary steps can help you safely enjoy the candy you do eat. Chocolate tends to be a better choice (as opposed to hard candy or chewy candy) because it rinses off the teeth much easier and does not sit in the mouth as long as a hard candy does.

Still, if you choose to eat hard candy, you can minimize the impact on your oral health, by following these steps:

• Eat candy in moderation: The more you eat, the more sugar that is introduced into your mouth.
• Drink water after eating candy: Water helps flush out any lingering sugars from the candy.
• Eat candy with a meal: Once you finish your veggies, of course! Because your mouth has already produced more saliva during the mealtime, eating candy with a meal helps prevent decay.The salvia fights the acid in your mouth and also helps flush out the sugar quicker.
• Floss and brush: As soon as you are able, floss and brush after eating candy.

Whether you treat yourself to a piece of candy once a week or once a month, remember to keep your routine dental appointments and to maintain a solid oral care routine. If you have questions about hard candy or cavities, don’t hesitate to ask us!

Did you know that only 10% of Americans meet the minimum recommendation for daily fruit servings? Fruit isn’t just a sweet treat for breakfast; fruit can be a wonderful source of vitamins (especially vitamin C), antioxidants, and fiber. As a bonus, diets rich in fruits (and vegetables) can help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Benefits of dried fruit

Nutritionists recommend eating a certain number servings per day (ranging from one cup for children and up to 2 cups per day for men), and those servings can come from fresh fruit, 100% fruit juice, and even dried fruit. Dried fruit is a popular choice for many people because:

• Dried fruit is not as fragile as fresh fruit
• It is easy to carry to work or school
• Dried fruit has a much longer shelf life than fresh fruit
• Due to high fiber content, dried fruit helps regulate the digestive system
• Dried fruit is convenient as it does not need to be washed, peeled, or cut

Dried fruit and dental issues

Despite the health benefits of dried fruit, you may have heard that dried fruit is not an ideal food, regarding dental health.

• Sticky: The American Dental Association recommends avoiding sticky foods, especially for those with dental appliances in their mouth. Sticky foods can also cause problems because the food sits on the teeth longer than other foods.
• Sugar content: Because excess sugar consumption can lead to dental caries, many individuals worry that eating too much dried fruit can introduce too much sugar into the mouth. Ounce per ounce, dried fruit contains more sugar than fresh. However, the portion size of dried fruit is 30 grams compared to 80 grams of fresh fruit.
• Damage to dental pieces: The stickiness of dried fruit can cause damage to braces, crowns, or other orthodontic pieces.

So is dried fruit good for us? Overall, yes. There are many positive benefits to eating dried fruit, especially if it hard for you to meet your minimum intake goals of fruit each day. Are the risks to dental health too much to risk? Eating dried fruit can be done with a few precautions.

But I love dried fruit! Now what?

Can’t get enough dried apricots in your oatmeal? Do you kids love raisins in their lunchbox? The good news is that dried fruit doesn’t have to be completely cut out of your diet! The British Nutrition Foundation studied the effects of dried fruit on dental health, particularly in children. Surprisingly, dried fruit “sticks” more to teeth when eaten alone. The solution? Include dried fruit with your meal rather than a stand-alone snack.

Additionally, after consuming dried fruit, dentists recommend the following:

• Eat the recommended serving size of dried fruit to avoid eating too much sugar in one sitting
• Rinse with water after eating dried fruit
• Flossing: Pre-flossed flossers may be ideal in this situation
• Brush your teeth: After eating any sticky or sugary food, brushing is recommended.

If you have questions about your particular dental history, call Dupont Dental today to learn how dried fruit may affect your specific dental appliances.