‘Tis the season for indulgence! Cookies, candies, snacks, and treats are everywhere! While we would not dream of playing Scrooge and denying anyone a few holiday treats, we do want to offer a word of caution, because we truly care about your smile.
We tell patients in our Tampa dental office that it is okay to enjoy holiday sweets in moderation. Just be sure to take care of your teeth, too! People think about a lot of things during the holiday season, but dental health is typically not one of them. This year, we urge you to think about your teeth and show them some love!
Lots of sweet indulgences like hard candy, candy canes, cookies, and eggnog mean that your teeth will be exposed to a lot of sugar. Why is that a problem? Sugar plays a big part in tooth decay. The bacteria that become plaque use sugar as a type of energy. They reproduce faster and in turn, plaque grows faster, too. The bacteria can also turn sugar into a glue-like substance that sticks to the tooth surface, making it harder for bacteria to get washed away with your saliva.
So, what should you do to help your teeth have a happy holiday? Here a few suggestions:
Do a little extra brushing. If you have some treats at home, brush your teeth afterward. This is also a good way to keep yourself from mindlessly eating more and more cookies from Santa’s tray.
Go for the chocolate. Besides being rich, creamy, and delicious, chocolate has the benefit of being soft and melting quickly, making it less apt to linger in your mouth. Hard candy stays in the mouth longer, is sticky, and can also crack dental work.
Make it dessert. Eat your sweets after your meal. Eating a full meal means your mouth will be producing more saliva, helping to wash away the sugar in your mouth. Plus, you will be likely to eat less gingerbread men if you enjoy them as dessert rather than a snack.
Steer clear of the cheer. Keep in mind that alcohol is sugar. Sipping sweet drinks leads to a continuous flood of sugar in your mouth. If you really want to imbibe, try alternating drinks with a glass of water.
Even though the holidays are a busy time, make sure you do not to miss check-ups and cleanings!
Happy Holidays from your Tampa Bay dental team – Weninger Dentistry!