The Link Between Easter Treats and Tooth Decay: How to Enjoy Your Easter Treats After the Easter Holidays While Maintaining Good Oral Health

The Easter bunny has long since gone, and you still have a stockpile of sweet treats to enjoy but are worried about the impact on your and your family’s oral health. The good news is that with some care, you can eat your Easter chocolate guilt-free and not dread your next dental checkup. Follow our simple tips on how to get through your Easter treats safely.

1. Limit the Frequency of Your Consumption

We often see people with excellent oral care routines who still have tooth decay problems, and it is frequently down to how often they graze on sugary foods. Keep this in mind when you reach for that Easter egg, as frequent snacking on chocolate or other Easter goodies exposes your teeth to sugars more often. Each time your teeth are exposed to sugars, bacteria in dental plaque will feast on the leftovers, producing toxins and acids that infect your gums and erode tooth enamel. Instead, limit your consumption to a specific time each day and don’t graze.

2. Have Your Chocolate with Your Main Meal

Following the previous point, the best time to have your Easter treat is at the end of your main meal. After a meal, you are already producing more saliva, so any remaining particles of chocolate are washed away more quickly. The increased saliva production also helps to fight bacteria more effectively, reducing acidity levels more quickly and minimising the negative impact on oral health.

3. Rinse Your Mouth After Eating

After eating your Easter stash, rinse your mouth with water, and keep a glass nearby so you can frequently sip while you eat. This helps to rinse away loose particles of chocolate more quickly, so they will do less damage to your teeth. An added bonus is that you will ensure you remain well hydrated, which in turn ensures you can produce plenty of saliva to keep your mouth cleaner and fresher.

4. Be Ruthless About Your Treats

It is tempting to work your way through your entire Easter haul, but you might find you are eating chocolates that are not your favourite just because they are there. Instead, be selective about what you eat and get rid of the rest, as someone else might enjoy them far more.

5. Wait before Brushing

After eating your Easter chocolate, wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth. When you finish eating, your mouth is more acidic for at least half an hour, and the acids weaken and soften tooth enamel. Waiting gives your tooth enamel time to reharden, so your toothbrush will not damage your teeth.

6. Replace Your Toothbrush Regularly

Your toothbrush needs replacing every three months or sooner if it looks worn. Even if your toothbrush still looks good, get rid of it, as it will be full of bacteria and is most likely more worn than you realise. You will notice the difference when you start using your new brush; a worn brush will not effectively clean your teeth.