Easter brings pastel treats and candy-filled baskets, but your smile shouldn’t have to suffer. With a little awareness and a few small changes, you can approach your favorite confections with holiday sugar smarts—enjoying the fun while protecting your teeth.

Sweets That Go Too Far

While all candy contains sugar, some types are especially rough on your oral health. Chewy options like jelly beans, caramel, and marshmallow candies tend to stick to the surfaces of your teeth. This creates a lasting sugar coating that fuels the bacteria responsible for decay. Sour candies are doubly harmful, combining sugar with acidity that weakens your enamel.

Smarter Seasonal Picks

You don’t have to skip dessert altogether. Solid chocolate is a much gentler option, especially darker varieties that contain less sugar. Because chocolate melts quickly, it doesn’t cling to your teeth the way stickier candies do. Treats with nut or peanut butter centers can also offer a sweet experience with less risk of long-term damage.

When and How You Snack Matters

The timing of your treat can make a difference. Enjoy sweets shortly after meals, when saliva levels are naturally higher and can help rinse away sugar. Drink water to flush out leftover particles, and stick to daily brushing and flossing. Avoid grazing on candy throughout the day, which increases your teeth’s exposure to sugar.

Enjoying Easter doesn’t have to come at the expense of your dental health. Just practice a little holiday sugar smarts, and your smile will stay strong long after the last egg is found.

Call Dossett Dental today to schedule your post-holiday cleaning and keep your teeth healthy all season long! To schedule a visit to our McKinney, TX office, call 972-787-1869 or schedule online. To visit one of our other locations, call 817-270-9217 in Hurst, TX or 214-740-6082 in Frisco, TX.