Christmas is just around the corner and with the holidays in full swing, we have to be mindful of our teeth! With all the chocolates and candies laying around there is no denying that the holidays can contribute to some bad dental days.
So how can the Holidays be bad for your teeth?
1. Large Amounts of Sugary Sweets
We all do it, we overindulge during the Holiday season and let go of our inhibitions. Between the cookies, cakes, sugary drinks and desserts after dinner, we consume the most sugar during this time of year. This is why trying to limit the amount of sugary sweets you have is important for your dental health.
Since the Holidays are a full month of continuous parties with colleagues, family and friends, we need to know why sugar is so bad for our dental health. When you eat sugar, it turns into acid, which directly contributes to tooth decay. Thankfully you don’t have to skip your favorite treats as there are ways to protect your teeth this holiday season.
Try to stay away from certain unhealthy foods like candy canes, caramel, hard and sour candies, sticky or chewy candies, baked sugary goods, carbonated and sugary sodas and white wine. These tend to be the items that are the worst on our teeth.
2. Consistent Snacking Throughout the Day
The Holiday season is often spent with loved ones, catching up on the latest news, playing games and eating food, lots and lots of food! Snacking endlessly on Christmas leftovers may be a great way to get rid of all that food, but this way of eating can be harmful to your dental health as eating without a significant break doesn’t give saliva a chance to clean the bacteria off your teeth.
3. Getting Out of Routine
With all the hustle and bustle that the Holidays bring, its no wonder you’re running late to get to all the parties! Traveling around can take you away from your normal hygiene routine, especially when you forget to pack your toothbrush. While the late night games may be fun, they usually contribute to falling into bed without a thought about brushing or flossing your teeth.
The important thing to remember is that brushing has to happen and to stick to your routine as best as possible. If this means carrying having a toothbrush or floss with you, rinsing your mouth after meals or prioritize brushing your teeth before starting the games with the family, there’s a lot you can do to prevent poor dental health this season!
Here are some tips to enjoy the Holiday Season while still protecting your teeth:
- Drink lots of water with meals – If you’re constantly snacking throughout the day, you are not allowing your saliva to build up enough to help clean your teeth. By drinking lots of water with your meals, you’re removing food particles that can stick to your teeth.
- Brush and floss as much as you can – Don’t forget to pack an extra toothbrush or floss. Since you’ll be traveling around for all the fun festivities, you can still bring a toothbrush, floss or mouthwash in your bag to take care of your teeth in between meals.
- Consume healthier foods – Foods like turkey, potatoes, yogurt, milk, pumpkin, onions, carrots, squash spinach, cheese, pomegranate, cranberries, gingerbread cookies and dark chocolate are all acceptable Holiday foods to eat.
- Limit Your Sugar Intake – Sugar is in a lot more than just dessert. Do some light research and learn to read product labels and you will be shocked to know how much sugar is in certain food products. Try to limit your sugar intake to once or twice per day to ensure you’re not going overboard.
- Schedule a Dental Appointment in the New Year – The New Year is a great time to schedule a routine dental checkup if you haven’t had one in a while.
Above all, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season with your friends and family and we look forward to seeing you in 2020!
At Dr. Joy Dental Clinic, we want to help you keep up with your oral health. If you’re interested in booking a New Year’s Dental Check-up appointment, please Contact Us on 800-DRJOY (37569) at any time to book a consultation with our Hygienists or General Dentists.
