Sweet Tooth? The Low-Impact Desserts You Should Know About

Many parents avoid letting their children indulge in sweets, mainly out of concern for dental health. But is it possible to enjoy a treat, order dessert, or eat something sweet without causing damage to teeth?

Dietitian Dr. Maya Rosman addressed this question on her radio show on 103FM, where she was asked about sugars and sweets that are harmful to dental health. “The question is whether some sweets are less harmful while others are more damaging,” she explained. After consulting with a dentist, she shared a clear answer: “Ice cream and chocolate do affect teeth, but to a lesser extent. The most harmful sweets are those that stick to the teeth, lodge between them, and remain there for a long time—such as pretzels, Bamba, and taffy candies.”

“Although ice cream and chocolate are harmful because of their sugar content, saliva washes away the residue within a few minutes, so the damage is more limited,” Dr. Rosman added. “Ice cream also has benefits, including a relatively high protein content, similar to other dairy products. Chocolate contains cocoa, which has its own advantages—it’s rich in antioxidants that help combat heart disease and cancer, delay aging processes, and even improve mood.”

When asked how to enjoy these treats while minimizing damage to teeth, her advice was straightforward: “Choose sugar-free dairy ice cream and sugar-free chocolate. These options don’t cause sharp spikes in blood sugar and are suitable even for people with a predisposition to diabetes. Some ice creams use sweeteners considered non-harmful to health, and most sugar-free chocolates contain sweeteners like maltitol, which is natural and generally regarded as safe.”