Does the sight of a holiday buffet make your mouth water? You see the turkey, the stuffing, and an endless table of pies and cookies. It looks delicious, but have you considered what this marathon of eating does to your smile? You do not have to skip your favorite treats to keep your teeth healthy. You simply need a smart strategy.
Master the Art of Timing
The biggest threat to your oral health during the holidays is not just sugar; it is the frequency of your snacking. When you eat, bacteria in your mouth break down carbohydrates and produce acid. This acid softens your enamel.
If you graze on snacks all day, your teeth remain under a constant acid attack. Your mouth needs time to recover. Try to group your sweets with your main meal. When you eat a full meal, your mouth produces more saliva. Saliva is your body’s natural defense. It washes away food particles and helps neutralize harmful acids. Eat that slice of pumpkin pie immediately after dinner rather than two hours later. Your enamel will thank you.
Beware of the “Naughty” List
Some holiday foods are more dangerous than others. Sticky treats like toffee, caramel, and even dried fruit act like glue. They cling to the grooves of your teeth and stay there for hours, feeding bacteria the entire time. If you indulge in these, rinse your mouth with water immediately afterward.
Hard candies and nuts pose a different risk. Biting down on a candy cane or an unpopped popcorn kernel is a fast way to chip a tooth or break a filling. Be mindful of what you chew.
Choose Your “Nice” Sidekicks
You can actually fight cavities while you snack. Add a few “detergent foods” to your plate. Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery act as natural scrubbers. They stimulate saliva flow and help mechanically clean the surface of your teeth.
Cheese is another powerful ally. Eating a piece of cheese after a sugary dessert helps balance the pH level in your mouth. The calcium in cheese also helps strengthen your tooth enamel. Make sure to keep a glass of water nearby, too. Swishing water around your mouth between glasses of wine or eggnog helps rinse away sugars and dark pigments that cause staining.
Your Teeth Are Not Tools
The holiday rush often brings stress and impatience. You might feel tempted to tear open a stubborn plastic package with your teeth or crack a walnut with your molars. Stop right there. Using your teeth as tools is one of the leading causes of dental emergencies during the winter season.
You risk fracturing a tooth or dislodging a crown. Take the extra minute to find a pair of scissors or a nutcracker. It is much easier to find a tool in a drawer than to find an emergency dentist on a holiday weekend.
Start the New Year Bright
Enjoy the festivities, eat well, and keep your smile safe. Once the parties end, give your teeth the attention they deserve.
Call Dr. Momodu Ali at Fresh Dental at (813) 502-2295 to schedule your post-holiday cleaning and exam in Tampa today!