Easter is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to start planning your child’s Easter basket. In addition to the soft stuffed animals, little toys, and knickknacks, candy and sugary foods are often found in baskets. However, while your intentions may be good, these sugary treats can produce negative consequences on your child’s oral health. Plus, you’re not helping them learn healthy life habits for overall health. Dr. Lance Anderson wants to help you celebrate Easter this year with yummy healthy treats that are safe for their teeth and health.
Impact of Sugar on Oral Health
We all know that sugar is bad for your health, but it’s also bad for your oral health, even when consumed in moderation. As your kids’ dentist in Lovell WY, we want you to understand the impact sugar has on your child’s teeth before you load their Easter basket with candy.
Sugary foods are known to increase the risk for tooth decay, especially in young children who don’t often brush or floss very well. Your child’s mouth contains hidden germs that stick to the teeth, causing plaque. When your child eats or drinks sugar, the sugar is naturally attracted to the bacteria, which causes the sugar to turn into acid. As the acid sits on the teeth, it slowly begins to eat away at your child’s enamel, causing cavities.
Many parents feel that one day of indulging on sugary foods won’t harm their child’s teeth, but this isn’t necessarily true. While it may only be one day, the sugar and food particles can stay trapped between the teeth and near the gum line until their next dental cleaning—even with brushing and flossing. As the trapped partials sit on the teeth, like the crevasses of the back molars, your child’s enamel will slowly begin to deteriorate.
It’s best to avoid sugary foods all together with fun and healthy Easter basket treats.
Healthy Easter Basket Treats
No Easter basket is complete without a handful of goodies, but make sure the goodies you include won’t cause damage to your child’s teeth. Dr. Lance Anderson has put together a list of fun and healthy treats for your little one’s Easter basket.
- Hard-boiled eggs that are beautifully decorated
- Use carrot-shaped goodie bags filled with Goldfish made from wholegrains
- Make homemade granola bars that are cut out in festive Easter shapes, like rabbits and eggs
- Fruits and vegetables, like pears, watermelon, and celery.
- Wholegrains, such as unsweetened cereals, popcorn, or baked tortilla chips.
- Nuts and seeds, like trail mix
Your Family Dentist in WY
As your family dentist in WY, we want to see your family have a fun and safe Easter without causing potential risks to your child’s oral health. By swapping out sugary foods with healthy foods, your child will have a healthy Easter basket they are sure to enjoy. In addition to yummy snacks, don’t forget brain foods. Include books, puzzles, and trivia games to keep their mind’s sharp while they snack on their Easter treats.