The holiday season is once again upon us, and dentists across the country are preparing for an influx of restorative dental patients afterward. While the holidays are certainly a wonderful time for togetherness and gift-giving, the feasting and seasonal sweets can take their toll on people’s dental health. Here are a few tips to keep your teeth healthy and strong during the holidays.
Mind Your Sugar Intake
People like to celebrate the holidays with traditional sweets like candy canes and sugar plums, but these can be harsh on your teeth. Candy canes and other hard candies are basically hardened pure sugar. As they are typically allowed to dissolve in the mouth, they can coat the teeth in a sugary residue that will feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Chewing them isn’t a much better solution, as chomping down on hard candies can lead to chips and cracks forming in the teeth.
Sticky sweets like sugar plums aren’t much better. Though they probably won’t cause chips or cracks, they can get stuck in the teeth and be hard to remove afterward. This allows them to provide any tooth decay-causing bacteria in the area with plenty of sugar. Go easy on the holiday sweets, and enjoy them with a glass of water to help wash away sugary residues.
Consider Your Beverage Choices
While the holidays can be a great time to indulge, some beverages require special precautions. Soda is despised by dentists across the world because it can cover the teeth in a sticky, acidic, sugary film that erodes enamel and feeds harmful bacteria. Avoid this sweet and bubbly stuff if you can, or at least drink it through a straw to minimize its contact with your teeth. Enjoy it with a glass of water to help dilute the residue it leaves in your mouth.
On the other hand, red wine is notorious for causing dental stains and discoloration because it is high in both acid and pigments. However, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem if you practice proper oral hygiene and enjoy your wine in moderation. Enjoy this festive spirit with a meal and a glass of water to prevent it from spending too much time clinging to your teeth.
Enjoy the Healthy Items
Veggies, fruits, turkey, and cheeses can all be great foods for your dental health. Fruits and vegetables can be rich in vitamins and minerals essential for healthy teeth and gums, and snappy, fibrous specimens like apples, celery, cucumber, and carrots can help wipe plaque and food debris away from your teeth without harming your enamel. Turkey is rich in protein and phosphorus, which help your body resist tooth decay. Cheese is loaded with calcium, an essential mineral for your dental health, and harder kinds can help scrape away plaque and food debris as you chew.
Don’t give harmful bacteria any gifts this holiday season. By being mindful of what you eat and drink, you can keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful for years to come.
About the Author
Dr. Michael McCleaster earned his DMD from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey before completing a General Practice Residency at Morristown Medical Center. He currently serves as a proud member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry. His office in Ledgewood, NJ offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy during the holidays, contact his office online or dial (973) 598-0800.