Holiday Sweets and Your Teeth
The holidays are a joyous time of year filled with happiness, family, and delicious treats. But don’t let your sweet tooth talk you into eating lots of sugary goodies this holiday season! Too much sugar can break down your enamel and cause tooth decay or gum disease. This is our guide to protecting your dental health during the holidays:
-Keep Balanced
Balancing sugary foods with meals is a great way to curb the harmful effects of sweet treats. As you eat a meal, more saliva is produced. Saliva helps flush away harmful bacteria that may stick to your teeth and eventually cause decay.
-Drink Water and Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Drinking water or milk with sugary snacks will help to remove harmful bacteria from your mouth. However, avoid drinking beverages such as soda, juice, energy drinks, and eggnog! These drinks are loaded with sugar and can further damage your dental health. You can also chew sugar-free gum after you’ve finished eating to help saliva flow, keep out plaque, and remove any food stuck in your teeth.
-Brush, Floss, and Rinse
This is a no-brainer! Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes will keep your teeth clean and healthy. It is also important to floss to remove any food particles that might be stuck in-between your teeth. If you do not floss, bacteria can build up and cause cavities in between your teeth (interproximal cavities). Lastly, keep your teeth strong and protected by rinsing with a fluoride-based mouthwash.
-Holiday Treats to Enjoy and Avoid
Now that you know some tips on how to care for your teeth this holiday season, try to avoid these holiday treats and enjoy tooth-friendly ones:
Eat sugar-free candy such as mints or lollipops instead of candy canes.
Avoid sticky caramels and sugar cookies and enjoy dark chocolate instead. Dark chocolate is filled with antioxidants!
Snack on spiced roasted nuts instead of caramel popcorn. Caramel popcorn is loaded with sugar and kernels that can get stuck in-between your teeth.
Visit The NJ Center for Laser and Cosmetic Dentistry this holiday season to keep your pearly whites healthy! If you have any questions about your dental health or would like to make an appointment call us at 973-244-2424 or request an appointment online.
Happy Holidays from The NJ Center for Laser and Cosmetic Dentistry Team!