Cake pops, and soda, and gummies, oh my!

We would be fooling ourselves if we didn’t find the above list at least a little enticing. After all, cake pops come in all different colors and coordinate perfectly with any upcoming party. Soda is a delicious, bubbly, refreshing beverage choice. And gummies, well, they come shaped like dinosaurs, fish, and worms. What could be more fun than that?!

Okay, now that your mouth is watering at the thought of those tasty treats, we’re actually here to warn against too many treats like this. Harmful sugars are hidden beneath the delicious flavor and adorable packaging. According to the American Dental Association, “tooth decay happens when plaque comes into contact with sugar in the mouth, causing acid to attack the teeth.”

That’s right — plaque, which already exists in your mouth, converts sugars and foods into acid which will attack your tooth enamel. This contributes to the likelihood of tooth decay. However, there are a few things you can do to avoid this:

• Brush twice a day
• Floss once a day
• Eat foods low in sugar
• Drink plenty of water
• Limit snacking
• Regular check-ups

*Recommendations provided by the American Dental Association

Cutting back on the sugary, sweet stuff can drastically improve the state of your dental health. If the plaque has less sugar to convert to acid, the tooth enamel will be attacked with less ferocity and less often. If you're a visual learner, watch this video to see this process in action.

As warmer weather approaches, see if you can visit a local Farmer’s Market and stock up on produce and fresh veggies, rather than popsicles and ice cream!

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