Enjoy the Holidays While Maintaining Your Oral Health

The holidays are upon us, and with them comes a multitude of delicious foods and beverages to indulge in with family and friends. There is no denying that many of these holiday treats and drinks are packed with sugar and starch, so it’s important to make sure that you are taking good care of your teeth even while you feast. It is one-hundred percent possible to emerge with a smile just as healthy as before. Your local Beachwood dentist has some great tips to help your family walk in with a game plan to keep your teeth healthy while you savor all the sweetness of the holidays!

Which Holiday Foods Cause Cavities?

While many of the types of foods we consume around the holidays are eaten during other times of the year, some of them tend to be used in higher quantities when it comes to holiday recipes. Here is a list of some of the foods, drinks, and ingredients that you may want to look out for when you sit down at the table this season:

• Candy canes: These tasty treats are a classic favorite, but at an average of 11 grams of sugar per cane, they can damage tooth enamel if consumed in excess.
• Corn on the cob: While this holiday food doesn’t contain large amounts of sugar, it is a prime offender when it comes to getting stuck between teeth. Over time, this can cause plaque build-up, leading to cavities.
• Hot chocolate: This tasty holiday beverage goes great with a roaring fire, but the sugar and bacteria from the dairy can cause tooth decay and bad breath if left unchecked.
• Stuffing: It may come as a surprise, but because this holiday favorite is so sticky, it is hard to remove from teeth. If it is not removed, it can lead to bacteria build up and ultimately cavities.
• Mixed nuts: When it comes to the healthiness scale, nuts are a great alternative to a second helping of pumpkin pie. It is important, however, to exercise caution when biting down so as not to break a tooth.
• Tea: While it has many other health benefits, the acid in many teas can weaken enamel over time.
• Wine: High amounts of sugar and acidity are a perfect combination for tooth decay. It is recommended that you wait half an hour after a glass to clean your teeth, ensuring that the residue is not brushed into the enamel.

How Can I Keep My Teeth Healthy While Still Enjoying Holiday Treats?

Fortunately, there are several things you and your family can do in order to still enjoy all of the above treats (and more) while keeping your smile in tip top shape this holiday season. Here is a list of other important and preventive actions you can take against cavities and damage while you scoop up a second helping of grandma’s famous stuffing:

• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice per day.
• Carry a travel toothbrush or mouthwash to cleanse your teeth after eating.
• If you are concerned about stains on your teeth, opt for lighter colored beverages such as sparkling water instead of iced tea.
• Try to avoid biting down on hard candies or shells.
• Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated, because a dry mouth is a catalyst to cavity forming bacteria.

Taking all of these preventive measures this holiday season will ensure that you are able to enjoy eating all of your favorite treats with your family and friends and still get a great report the next time you see the dentist.

About the Author

Dedicated oral health experts, Drs. Jerome L. Faist and Jed M. Koops, are highly trained dental professionals who love creating relationships with every patient they care for. The team at Faist and Koops Family Dentistry not only performs exceptional dental work, but they also prioritize educating their patients in order to give them all of the tools needed to maintain a healthy smile between visits. Is your smile ready for the holidays? Request a checkup and cleaning online, or call us at (216) 284-5468.