The holidays are right around the corner and we have already celebrated Halloween. As you know, the holidays are filled with sugary treats and beverages, and sugar is bad for your teeth. Oral bacteria feed on sugar and metabolize it into acids that lead to tooth decay. You can help protect your family’s teeth this holiday season with these 4 tips for holiday tooth protection.
Tips
The following four tips can help decrease sugar exposure on your teeth during the holidays:
Tip #1: Limit the sugary snacks and beverages. There is likely to be all sorts of snacks and treats to choose from when celebrating this holiday season, and it is okay to eat a sugary snack now and again. However, try to choose snacks that aren’t high in sugar, or fruit and veggies, instead. Great snacks that even help clean your teeth and increase blood circulation to your gums include broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, apples, pears, carrots, and celery.
Tip #2: If you or your children do decide to indulge in sweet treats, stay away from candy canes and other hard candies. Not only does the sugar coat your teeth more thoroughly, but they take longer to eat so you have longer tooth-candy contact.
Tip #3: After eating or drinking sugary products, rinse thoroughly with water to wash the sugar, bacteria, and food debris off of your teeth. Also, chewing sugarless gum for 10 minutes after a sweet, helps increase saliva production and rinse the sugars from your teeth.
Tip #4: The holidays can be busy and exhausting. Remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist twice annually.