Why Does My Tongue Peel When I Eat Sour Candy?
Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, Sour Skittles, and Sour Punch Straws are just a few of the most popular sour candies available to satisfy that sweet tooth. But eat too much at one time and you might notice that your tongue feels a little weird.
Eating too much sour candy can cause your tongue to peel, which might seem alarming if you’ve never experienced it before. While it’s generally nothing to cause concern, always get in touch with the team at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry by calling us at 877-526-3337, contacting us below, or stopping into your local office.
What Makes My Tongue Peel?
The acids in sour candy are what makes them so good to eat, but those acids are also what eats away at the top layer of skin on your tongue. You might notice that your tongue feels raw and sensitive; these symptoms should go away within a few days, sometimes as quickly as one day depending on how much sour candy you have eaten. When the top layer of skin peels off, you’ll know your skin is healing and you can fully enjoy your favorite foods again! Consider staying away from sour or spicy things immediately after to give your mouth a chance to fully recover.
Is Sour Candy Bad for My Teeth?
While you might feel the effects of sour candy on your tongue, the stuff that makes you pucker is terrible for your teeth as well. Just like other candies, the amount of sugar is sour candy creates an environment that allows bad bacteria to increase in number, feeding off the sugar and eroding enamel. However, the acids in candy also eat at the enamel without the help of bacteria, making them doubly dangerous to your oral health.
How Can I Protect My Mouth from Damage by Sour Candy?
The first and most obvious answer is to avoid sour candy. However, we know that a lot of our clients like to enjoy a handful of Sour Patch Kids every once in a while. There are some steps you can take to keep your mouth feeling great and avoid damaging your teeth.
- Keep the sour candy to a minimum. If you notice your mouth starts to feel funny, stop eating the sour candy and save it for another day.
- Be sure to drink plenty of water. Doing so will help minimize the negative effects of sugary candy.
- Do NOT brush your teeth right after eating sour candy. When you brush immediately after, you will not only brush away the sugars but your enamel as well. Once your tooth enamel is gone, you can’t replace it. The smartest thing to do is wait thirty to sixty minutes after eating sour candy before brushing. (If you’re eating candy that is not sour, it is safe to brush right after consuming your sweet treats.)
Keep Your Smile Shining
Here at Lane and Associates Family Dentistry, we love to make you smile. If you have any problems with your dental health or would like to speak with a member of our expert dentistry team, just contact us below or call us at 919-902-1658.
