Candy, Snacks, and Treats Cause Cavities. The Myths and Facts.

With Halloween right around the corner, some of you may be wondering how to keep your teeth healthy while still being able to enjoy a few candies, snacks or treats. Dr. Antonio Lopez-Ibarra from Tri City Dental Care in Kennewick, WA has some tips to help your teeth this season.

What Causes Cavities?

Many of you probably think that too much sugar causes a cavity, but Cascadia Dental Specialists tell us that “the truth about sugar is not that it rots your teeth itself, but the bacteria that feeds on sugar (streptococcus) breaks down into acids that eat your tooth enamel, which can lead to decay.  So, if you want to be strict about it, the less sugar you eat the less streptococcus has to eat and the less acid it will produce to cause tooth decay”.

The Best Thing You Can Eat Is Chocolate.

If you are going to eat candy, the best thing you can eat is chocolate. Kids Healthy Teeth teaches us that “it washes away easier than other candy, and is less destructive to enamel. But, dark chocolate is the best type of chocolate for oral health because it contains less sugar than milk chocolate and can actually help keep cavities away! That’s because it contains a flavonoid called epicatechin. Epicatechin has shown to slow tooth decay and also reduces cholesterol, blood clots, and clogged arteries. Dark chocolate also contains polyphenols, which are naturally occurring chemicals that limit bad oral that attacks your teeth. The polyphenols in dark chocolate also reduce bad breath!”

On the other hand, some of the worst candies to eat are hard, sticky, and sour candy. These candies tend to stay in your mouth much longer, making your teeth more vulnerable to getting a cavity due to the bacteria that eats away at your enamel. Some of the hard candies can even break your teeth!

After Enjoying All Of Your Treats From This Halloween Season…

Always remember to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. If you think that you have a cavity, make sure to schedule an appointment in Kennewick with Dr. Antonio Lopez-Ibarra at Tri City Dental Care. You can make an appointment by calling 509-579-0759.