10 Apr Dentist Deer Park Tips: 6 Tips For Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During Easter
Your Deer Park dentist knows that on Easter you’re most likely spending the holiday with your family and friends.
And possibly, you’re expecting a visit from the Easter Bunny/Bilby. But because we care about our patients, we’re always on the job!
Which is why we are dedicating our Easter blog to some of the ways this holiday affects your teeth, gums, and overall health.
Everyone deserves to relax, have fun and enjoy ourselves with family and friends.
But sometimes, these special occasions aren’t the best things for our teeth.
Those Easter Brunch leftovers you nibble on, the cans of soda and glasses of wine, and most of all that the Easter basket filled with candy still sitting out in plain view.
So, what’s the problem with Easter sugar?
The Dangers Of Sugar
The World Health Organisation recommendations are to keep “free sugars” below 10% of daily energy intake. For the average adult, this is below 12 teaspoons daily.
Over half of Australian adults exceed this limit, and on Easter, it’s difficult to stay below it.
Here are some examples:
- Peanut butter chocolate eggs – 5 to 8 teaspoons
- M&M’s Milk Chocolate Eggs (42 grams) – 7 teaspoons
- Marshmallow Eggs (1 egg) – 4 teaspoons each
- Cadbury Creme Eggs (1 egg) – 5 teaspoons
- Russell Stover Marshmallow Eggs (1 egg) – 4 teaspoons
- Jelly Beans (40 grams) – 7 teaspoons
So What’s The Danger?
Here are the five dangers of sugar:
- Feeding oral bacteria. Sugar is the preferred food source for oral bacteria that cause cavities. It can also lead to oral infections, oral decay, and periodontal disease.
- Sugar is extremely high in calories and often not associated with other nutritional advantages. Too much sugar creates an insulin response necessary to feel full, so not only do you get a lot of calories, but you aren’t satisfied.
- Sugar crashes. Sugar rushes through your system, bringing short-term energy that leads to a “crash” about 30 minutes later. These surges can cause insulin resistance and even diabetes.
- Dangerous illnesses. Sugar can increase the risk of serious diseases, including liver failure, kidney disease, and even cancer.
- Cognitive Decline. Studies demonstrate that eating excessive sugar can cause brain fog and cognitive decline.
To avoid this, we’re sharing six tips on how you can make it a happy Easter with your family, while also making it a joyous occasion for your smile.
Six tips by your Deer Park Dentist
- Brush and floss! Regular tooth brushing and flossing is a vital part of oral health, and even more important when your teeth are regularly exposed to sugar.
- Avoid sticky or hard candies. Avoid sweet treats such as taffy and jellybeans – these treats can get stuck in between teeth, and their stickiness helps them adhere to your teeth, increasing the amount of time your enamel is exposed to them. Hard candies, similarly, can leave slivers between teeth, exposing them to sugar over a longer term. Besides, these two kinds of sweets can actively harm teeth, either pulling fillings and dental appliances loose or by cracking or breaking them.
- Plan family car journeys. If you are going on a long trip for Easter this Easter, keep in mind that snacking on sugary food throughout the journey can put your teeth under attack for a very long time. It takes up to an hour for tooth enamel to recover after eating or drinking something sugary so a sweet every hour will result in the enamel demineralising for the whole journey.Our next tip will suggest some safer travel foods.
- Eat plenty of tooth-friendly foods. Some foods help your teeth, including:
Leafy greens such as kale and spinach that are high in calcium, folic acid, and help ‘brush’ your teeth clean.
Fruits, such as apples, may taste a bit sugary, but they’re also high in fibre and water, which produce saliva in your mouth and stimulate your gums.
Carrots and celery are crunchy, full of fibre, and they increase saliva production in your mouth, reducing your risk of cavities.
Almonds are a good source of calcium and protein without much sugar.
Cheese and yogurt are high in calcium, protein, and probiotics.
- Go to the dark side (of chocolate): Feed your sweet tooth with chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa. It should have less sugar and may also have anti-bacterial effects that retard plaque. As with any candy, eat in moderation!
- Hydrate! Water sluices away food debris and sugars that help build decay-causing acids.
The Deer Park Dental Surgery Difference
Deer Park Dental Surgery delivers outstanding patient care and customer service to the growing community in Deer Park and its surrounds.
Our location is strategic as we are located in a busy medical centre in Brimbank Shopping Centre. We are also open on Saturdays, which cater to your family needs.
Parking is hassle-free.
Deer Park dentist also serving local communities in Albanvale, Kings Park, Cairnlea, St Albans, Ardeer, Albion, Sunshine West, Derrimut, Burnside and Caroline Springs.
Our Promotions
GAP FREE – Comprehensive Check Up, Clean & X-rays (with any health insurance)
*for new patients only
New Patients – No Insurance: $150 Comprehensive Check Up, Clean & X-rays (if needed)
Call us on (03) 9360 4417 or book your appointment online. We are located at T097a Brimbank Shopping Centre Neale Road in Deer Park.
We are looking forward to seeing you!