There probably isn’t a dentist in the world who would say eating candy is a good thing. That includes those of us at Neal C. Johnson DMD in Billings.
To put it plainly, candy is loaded with sugar. The bacteria in your mouth uses any sugar that comes its way to produce the acids that cause tooth decay.
You’re better off avoiding candy entirely. But we’re realists, and know that is not an easy thing to do. (Full disclosure: most of us here don’t mind the occasional sweet, too!)
The trick, in part, is moderation. It’s also choosing your candy wisely. Some kinds are worse for your teeth than others. (Be sure to read this entire post: there’s a surprise ending!)
The Worst
The worst types of candy are the sticky ones, like gummi bears, taffy, and even those chewy fruit snacks. They attach to your teeth and stick there, and don’t rinse or brush away very easily.
Sticky candy can also cause problems with dental work, like fillings and crowns.
Dried fruit has the same effect. Admittedly, raisins or cranberries have more nutrition than a gummi bear. But they also have a lot of sugar and cling to the teeth.
Hard candy like lollipops are also really rough on teeth. They’re meant to be sucked on, so they’re in your mouth for a long time. That’s a sugar bath your teeth definitely don’t need.
Surprise!
Here’s the surprise: some candy isn’t all that bad. Chocolate melts quickly and rinses or brushes out easily. We like dark chocolate in particular, because it tends to have less sugar than milk chocolate. It’s made from cocoa beans, which contain substances that help to harden enamel and even fight bacteria.
At Neal C. Johnson DMD in Billings we want all our patients to have the best possible dental health, and staying away from candy, especially sticky candy, is always a good strategy. People come here from Lockwood, Billings Heights, and Laurel for family and restorative dentistry, and much more. Please call our office to schedule your next checkup today!
Contact Neal C. Johnson DMD:
406-656-2700
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
176 S 32nd St W Ste 3
Billings, Montana
59102
