Dentists are unanimous: you should absolutely not brush your teeth after eating this type of candy.
Every year at Halloween, children go trick-or-treating. Caramels, gummy bears, crocodiles, lollipops... The choice of sweets is vast, much to their delight. But for their teeth, it's more like a horror movie! While we know that candy is generally bad for teeth, some are worse than others, and certain practices can make matters worse.
In general, sugary candies trigger the production of an acid that demineralizes teeth, ultimately making them more vulnerable to cavities. But some candies are "more concerning": sour candies, warned Professor Nadine Tassabehji in a publication from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Why?
Sour candies, as their name suggests, contain acids themselves, which exacerbates the situation. They are often combined with sour candies, which are very popular with those who have a sweet tooth. "These candies combine two factors that increase oral acidity and accelerate enamel erosion," explains the expert.
Dental surgeon Catherine Mojaïski had also explained to BFMTV that "what destroys tooth enamel is acid, whether directly when we consume acidic things, or sugar which, under the effect of bacteria, transforms into acid."
The worst of the worst are sour and sticky candies. "If they stick to your teeth, they stay there much longer. This sticky, acidic, and sugary mixture is a recipe for dental problems," says Professor Tassabehji. The good news is that it's possible to limit the impact of candy (and especially sour candy) on teeth with good practices, widely recommended by dentists.
First, the first rule – which may seem counterintuitive – is to absolutely not brush your teeth after eating candy, and especially sour candy. "If you brush immediately, you risk spreading these acids and further weakening your teeth," explained dentist and content creator "tadentistepreferee" on Instagram .
She states that "the right thing to do is rinse your mouth with water to remove as much acidity or sugar as possible, then wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth. Your enamel will thank you!" For brushing, she reminds us to use fluoride toothpaste.
While waiting to brush your teeth after eating candy, chewing sugar-free gum can also be helpful, recommends Dr. Laurence Gabison , a dental surgeon in Paris. It is also advisable to eat candy (and sugary foods in general) as a dessert, rather than snacking on them between meals.
This is when teeth are best protected against acidity. It's also a good way to eat less, since your stomach is already full after a meal! Of course, the ideal is to consume as few sweets as possible, especially sour and sticky ones, and to brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day.
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