Santa wants milk and cookies. Well, his teeth would approve at least one of those choices. The children of the world need to replace one of the cookies with a second glass of milk this year.
As you know, there are a lot of delicious foods and beverages available throughout the holidays, but they aren’t without potential trouble for your teeth. Here’s a look from your pediatric dentist in Cumming at some holiday foods that can be hard on your teeth without proper oral care.
Stuffing
Also known as dressing, stuffing is a holiday food staple that many people have strong feelings about one way or the other. Whether it’s delicious or too dry, all stuffing is a problem for your teeth. This starchy food is packed with carbohydrates. When eaten, just like sugar it promotes the growth of anaerobic bacteria which feed on the sugars that starches are broken down into. The bacteria secrete acid as they metabolize the sugars, and your enamel bears the brunt of that process.
Candy Canes
Truth be told, candy canes are sticks of sugar with a convenient handle for transport. Keeping sugar off your teeth is a point we can revisit until the cows come home, but this item and other hard candy pose a different danger, as well. Be careful with hard candy and avoid biting into it to eliminate any chance of chipping your teeth.
Eggnog
Eggnog has its fans and detractors, but those who enjoy it should be mindful of its high sugar content. The brandy, bourbon, or rum it is often mixed with have sugars of their own, but at least where your teeth are concerned the eggnog is the primary concern. Another relaxing drink that puts less stress on your enamel is a sugar-free gin and tonic.
Dried Fruit
Whether it’s in fruitcake, a Christmas cookie, or another item, dried fruit sticks to the surfaces of your teeth similar to what gummy candy does. Sticky, sweet items are problematic because they keep the sugar on your teeth for a long time unless you do something about it. Sugar feeds the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. Even with sugars of their own, fresh fruits are definitely better for your oral health.
Cookies and Other Sugary Baked Goods
It’s not exactly breaking news that sugar cookies and comparable items are not great for your teeth. Items like this will be constantly available at holiday gatherings for most families. If you decide to indulge in a cookie or two, following up with a bathroom trip for brushing is a smooth move.
Certainly, there are many more holiday meal items, snacks, and beverages that pose challenges for your teeth. In general, swishing your mouth with water is helpful when consuming them and obviously brushing and flossing after you are done is a fantastic idea. When the holiday dining is over, visiting your dentist in Cumming for a checkup is so smart that Santa would surely approve.
About the Practice
At Village Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to fulfill two goals. One, we want to provide our growing patients with the highest-quality care possible. Two, we want to make the experience completely stress-free for parents. We will maximize your dental insurance, every service is taken care of at our office location, and our orthodontist is quite accomplished with a Master’s in Biomedical Science. We understand how difficult it can be to make wise food choices during the holidays and that it’s even harder to get your children to do the same. Try to get your family to do the best they can in that regard, be diligent about their oral hygiene, and then after the holidays, we’ll be here to help with a dental cleaning and exam. To make an appointment, visit our website or call (678) 456-5572.