Hydration and Dental Health: The Candy Quandary

It's Halloween, and your kids are enjoying their hard-earned candy. You also enjoy a piece of chocolate — or two. Then you wonder: What's going on in my mouth?

According to Aura Dentistry, when you eat candy the resident bacteria in your mouth enjoy it as much as you do. The bacteria eat the candy that remains in your mouth after you swallow and produce acid that dissolves the enamel (the outer shell) of your teeth. The loss of enamel leads to dental decay, resulting in cavities and a dingy looking smile.

The bacteria in your mouth thrive on starch and carbohydrates; most candy provides both. Food and snacks like potato chips, crackers, bread, fruit, peanut butter and pasta may have the same effect on your teeth as candy, but candy has a worse reputation because it has no nutritional value.

Wash away the residue with water

Brushing your teeth and cleaning between them regularly is crucial for good dental health, but water plays an important role, too. According to the American Dental Association, water cleans your mouth with every sip. It washes away the leftover food and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for. It also dilutes the acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. Drinking water throughout the day and swishing it around in your mouth after you eat goes a long way toward keeping your smile cavity-free.

Don't forget the fluoride

In 2018, the Canadian Dental Association noted an uptick in the number of cavities dentists were treating among children. The cause: bottled water, which lacked fluoride. A natural mineral, fluoride is an established way to prevent tooth decay. It is absorbed easily into tooth enamel, making the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay.

Unless your water supply is tainted, tap water in your HidrateSpark is always a better choice than bottled water. It provides fluoride and it's less expensive, more environmentally friendly, and less likely to contain microplastics.