It’s the most wonderful time of the year… and most delicious, if we can be honest! With so many festive treats and opportunities to just nibble a little bit of cookie here and sneak a little bit of candy cane there, it’s easy to let some of our usually healthy habits fade a bit during the holidays.
There are ways to enjoy all the treats and still spare your teeth even with so many goodies around every corner.
Holiday Dental Culprits & Tips
Sticky & Sugary
Frosted sugar cookies, eggnog and hot cocoa! So fun to indulge in but sticky and sugary for your teeth. Make sure to brush after eating these and all of those other deliciously sticky culprits that pop up this time of year!
Leave the Hard Work to the Nutcracker
Nutcrackers aren’t just a holiday decoration – they can be a tooth saver! Tearing open that stubborn wrapper or plastic tag with your chompers or giving an extra twist to that impossible to open bottle cap with your teeth does not make for a happy mouth. Stick to the scissors and bottle openers to open those tricky containers and bottles! And leave the nuts to the nutcracker!
Good Things Come in Small Amounts
Moderation is key when it comes to enjoying those festive goodies. You don’t need to skip the tasty treats and sweet drinks, just practice moderation. It isn’t necessarily how much you eat that affects the health of your teeth as how often you are nibbling and sipping and exposing your teeth to the harmful bacteria and acids present in certain foods.
Keep Your Dental Routines
Brushing after meals and snacking as well as practicing overall good dental measures goes a long way in combating dental damage. Brushing after eating sugary and carbohydrate-heavy foods is the best way to combat the bacteria that attacks your teeth. For acidic foods such as oranges and lemons, it is best to rinse with water or eat a natural acid fighter like cheese that helps maintain the natural acid balance and help reduce the chances of developing tooth decay.
Being mindful of your festive treat sampling during the holidays goes a long way in preventing tooth decay.