With the smell of Christmas cookies, pie, and hot chocolate in the air, there’s no doubt that the holiday season is here. Unfortunately, this isn’t usually the best time of year for your teeth. Recent research suggests that Americans will spend around $100 on holiday candy and snacks alone, and an average of 1.76 billion candy canes are made each year. With such an abundance of sugary snacks and delicious treats, trying to keep healthy habits for your teeth can seem like a nearly impossible challenge. Don’t let avoiding good oral health habits put you on the naughty list! Here are some tips from your dentist in Melbourne that will improve your oral health while you enjoy the holidays!
Be Smart About Seasonal Sugar
Avoiding sugar entirely over the holidays would be the perfect solution, except that it’s an extremely unrealistic one. For many of us, the holidays simply wouldn’t be the same without a sugar cookie or other traditional treat. Instead, keep these tips in mind as you feast on your favorite seasonal foods.
- Eat sweets with your meals, not after them, to keep those sugars from lingering on your teeth too long.
- Drink lots of water to strengthen tooth enamel and keep your mouth clear of leftover food particles.
- Get plenty of rest to improve your overall health and reduce stress, which can drastically improve your dental health.
Indulge in Smile-Friendly Snacks
Tis the season for snacking! While chocolates and candy canes are usually out and about this time of year, keep a lookout for foods that can keep your smile happy and healthy, like:
- Cheese, which can help fight cavities and strengthen teeth.
- Fruits, like apples, that can help wash away bacteria.
- Vegetables, for removing leftover food particles stuck in your teeth.
Keep These Holiday Foods on the Naughty List
It’s no secret that candy isn’t on your dentist’s nice list, but sugar isn’t the only food to look out for. Avoid or limit to these holiday treats protect your pearly whites:
- Hard foods like peppermints, crunchy Christmas cookies, and popcorn that can damage or crack your teeth if you’re not careful.
- Sticky foods like caramels and fruitcake, which can stick to fillings, crowns, and other dental work and move them out of place.
- Holiday drinks, like hot chocolate, eggnog, and wine that are loaded with sugars and other acids that damage the enamel protecting your teeth.
As the season of snacking gets closer, be sure to keep these healthy holiday eating tips in mind! By taking a few simple precautions, continuing to brush your teeth twice a day, and seeing your dentist every six months for the best preventive dentistry, you’ll be able to enjoy a happy and tooth-healthy holiday season!
About the Author
Dr. Beverly Rose is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Dentistry and has completed extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. Since 1996 she has helped the Melbourne area maintain happy, healthy, and cavity-free smiles all year long. If you have any questions about the article you just read, she can be contacted at her website or at (321) 259-4666.