From chocolate rabbits to jelly beans, children across North Carolina and the country will dig into Easter sweets this weekend. One North Carolina dentist offered tips to parents on how to help their kids avoid cavities over the holiday.

Dr. Michael Milano, a clinical associate professor at the East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine. said all candy poses a risk for cavities, but some present a higher level of risk. That goes for particularly sticky and chewy candy.

"It gets stuck in the grooves of the teeth, and they stay there a lot longer," he said. "So therefore, the cavity challenge occurs on a longer period of time."

Milano noted that long-lasting candies such as lollipops or Jolly Ranchers give teeth greater exposure for a longer period of time, and acidic, sour candy can alter PH levels in the mouth.

Milano admitted that adults and children alike are going to eat candy regardless, but there are some strategies to help avoid a bad dentist appointment after the fact. He explained that eating candy at just one point in the day, rather than spread out over a whole day, can make a big difference.

"Every time you eat something sweet, you get that cavity challenge in your mouth, and a cavity can start," he said. "So if you can have that challenge only once a day versus spread out over the whole day, that’s a little bit better."

He also encouraged people to brush their teeth soon after eating their candy.

"You don’t want to start brushing immediately after eating a piece of candy because that can actually damage the enamel as well, if the cavity has started, or the enamel has started to dissolve," he said. "Rinse your mouth out just with water, and then half an hour later, brush your teeth."

Source: Public News Service