Every year, the panic starts creeping in. Valentines is weeks away. What am I going to do? What Valentine will I send? If I send candy, everyone will wonder, “Is she trying to give my kid cavities?” If I send bubbles, “She just sends that because she is a dentist and does not believe in candy.” Will other moms send different treats because there is a “dentist’s kid” in the class? I get told by my friends that nobody is thinking about me being a dentist, but every year I experience the same feelings of anxiety.
Kids eat candy. My kids, like everyone else’s kids, eat candy. All candy is not created equal, and some candy is better for your teeth than others.
Best Worst
Xylitol chewing gum > Sugar Free Candy > Chocolate > Suckers/Peppermints/Sticky/Sour candy
Chewing Gum with Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar that the cavity creating bacteria in our mouths does not readily digest. It has even shown to decrease cavity formation when chewed several times a day. An example of a gum with xylitol would be Icebreakers.
Sugar Free Candy
Sigh…okay. Sugar free candy won’t be as bad for teeth, but if I am eating candy, let’s just say, it’s not going to be sugar free.
Chocolate
Candies of the chocolate varieties are by far my personal favorites. Chocolate is delicious, of course, but also it does not stay in the oral cavity for as long of a time as hard candies do. They do not stick to teeth like gummy candies do. The oral environment does not have to work as hard to return to a neutral level as it would with the hard and sticky candies.
Hard, Sticky, and Sour Candy
Bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar, and when bacteria digest sugar, its byproduct is acid. Acid produced from the bacteria on your teeth is what destroys enamel and creates a cavity. An increased frequency of consuming sugary candies and/or beverages can lead to cavities. Candies that stay in your mouth for extended periods of time, i.e. suckers, peppermints, etc, have a higher tendency of creating cavities. Gummy candies, although swallowed quickly, can leave a sticky residue on teeth that is difficult for the saliva to rinse away which can also create cavities. Sour candies are more acidic than other candies which can be damaging to the enamel.
Despite being aware of these facts, my children are still children and love candy. I was the mom that sent heart-shaped sunglasses for Valentine happies when my kids were in daycare. Now that my children are getting to be school ages, I have started letting them choose their valentines. And what did my children choose this year: RING POPS! *Insert palm to forehead*
I want the best for my children, but I also want my kids to remember their mom as a fun, loving person who allowed special treats. We need a special treat every now and again. All of this to say, please don’t hate the dentist who sends Ring Pops for Valentine’s Day. My kids made me do it!
