Are the Holidays Really the Worst Time of Year for My Teeth?

The holiday season is here again, and that means celebrations, gift-giving, and many delicious seasonal foods. While this time of year is wonderful for family gatherings and reunions with old friends, it can also be hazardous to your dental health. Many of the treats and beverages commonly served during the holiday season are rich in sugars and other ingredients that can lead to oral infections like tooth decay or gum disease. Here are a few holiday dental health hazards to be wary of and a few tips for keeping your teeth healthy as you celebrate.

Sugar and Sweets Can Spell Your Dental Health’s Defeat

During the holiday season, businesses often offer dishes of candy to their employees and customers and households often keep a plate stocked with cookies for anyone to take. While these certainly make for delightful treats when consumed in moderation, consuming them too much can lead to dental disaster.

Candy canes, one of the most ubiquitous holiday sweets, are not much more than solid peppermint-flavored sugar. Allowing them to dissolve in your mouth will coat your teeth and gums with a sugary residue that makes great fuel for the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Chewing on them isn’t any better, as this can cause the candy to become stuck in the pits of your molars, and they can sometimes cause chips or cracks if you bite them at just the wrong angle.

Traditional beverages can be similarly dangerous. Soda is a certified recipe for dental disaster because it delivers a sticky payload of cavity-causing sugar and acid. While hot chocolate isn’t acidic, it is still very sugary.

How Can I Celebrate the Holidays Without Harming My Smile?

You don’t have to avoid sweets completely to keep your teeth healthy during the holiday season. Be sure to enjoy them in moderation while practicing proper oral hygiene every day. It’s also a great idea to enjoy your sweets alongside a glass of water to help wash their residue away from your teeth and promote healthy saliva flow.

It’s also wonderful to know that there is plenty of holiday fare that can be great for your teeth. Fruits, veggies, cheeses, and lean meats can be delightful delicacies at holiday gatherings. Snappy, crunchy, fibrous fruits and veggies like apples, carrots, and celery can help clean your teeth as you chew them, and cheese and meat are rich in the protein your teeth and gums need to stay strong.

It’s important to enjoy the holiday season, but it’s also important to keep your teeth healthy. By keeping these tips in mind, you can ensure that your teeth stay in great shape well into the new year and beyond.

About the Author

Dr. David Crescenzo earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Georgetown Dental School and has pursued continuing education classes throughout his career. He is a current member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. His office in Hammonton, NJ offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on caring for your smile during the holiday season, contact his office online or dial (609) 561-0058.