Do you love hard candies? Do you regularly use breath mints? What about lozenges to get a nutritional boost or when you have a sore throat? What about all of the sugar in these types of foods?
We recommend that you don’t consume hard candies and similar products simply because they can be detrimental to your oral health. But we know that sometimes it’s unavoidable (like for dry mouth or if you have a sore throat). Today’s blog from Parkcrest talks about how to consume hard candies, lozenges, and breath mints without affecting your oral hygiene.
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Don’t Chew on Them
Hard candies, breath mints, and lozenges are just that: hard. Chewing on them could lead to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. The key to hard candies is to suck on them and let them dissolve rather than to chew on them.
Find Softer Alternatives
Rather than hard candies, find softer alternatives that are chewable. Lozenges often come in chewable forms. If you want a nutrient to dissolve in your mouth, consider a liquid alternative. If you have sugary supplements, make sure to brush your teeth, chew sugar-free gum, or rinse soon afterward to help prevent tooth decay.
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Sugar-Free Varieties
Look for sugar-free varieties of your favorite hard candies, breath mints, or lozenges. Sugar is one of the main culprits that cause tooth decay. Limiting your sugar can improve oral hygiene when you brush and floss every day. If you still enjoy certain flavors in your hard candies, consider all-natural kinds that don’t have any added sugar and use natural flavorings like essential oils and real fruit.
Limit Your Consumption
As with everything, limit your consumption of these kinds of foods and use them in moderation. When you’re sick and you need a throat lozenge, use them only as directed. Try to eat healthier foods, such as fruits or nuts, rather than candies. Rather than constantly eating, try to have candies only one time per day. Once you develop better oral hygiene habits, you may not even miss the hard candies or breath mints you once craved!
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Oral Hygiene Tips by Parkcrest Dental Group
The team at Parkcrest Dental Group wants you and your family to enjoy the foods and flavors you love but without the detrimental effects. We’re here to help you have a healthy and happy smile. Contact Parkcrest Dental Group online or call (417) 887-1220 for more tips, tricks, and advice.
