For many, the holiday season is a time to forget about their worries for a bit and take some time off from work or school. It gives people a chance to catch up with loved ones, and this time of year produces many tasty treats. There are many seasonal foods and drinks to be enjoyed during the holidays. Unfortunately, some of these holiday foods and beverages can do some unsavory things to your smile. Read on for information on four kinds of foods and drinks that can harm your pearly whites.
#1: Eggnog
Whether you love it or hate it, it’s undeniable that eggnog is an incredibly popular holiday beverage. For many, it’s a staple of the season. Some people drink it straight from the container, and some add alcohol to it. Either way, it can have some negative effects on your smile.
For one, eggnog contains a lot of sugar. Oral bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar and release acids. These acids attack your tooth enamel, which weakens it and increases your likelihood of developing cavities. Alcohol is highly acidic, which means that it can also eat away at your enamel. It can also dry out your mouth, which allows bacteria to thrive and raises your risk of both cavities and gum disease.
#2: Candy
Candies like butterscotch, toffee, candy canes, and chocolate are wildly popular during the holiday season. Hard candies take a long time to dissolve, which means that your smile will be exposed to harmful sugars for an extended time. Additionally, holiday candies are full of sugar, which feed the bacteria that cause cavities. Los, many of them contain high fructose corn syrup, which pools minerals from your teeth and makes them less likely to be able to defend against tooth decay.
#3: Stuffing
You might assume that foods like rolls and stuffing won’t damage your smile, but that is unfortunately untrue. Starchy, carb-heavy foods such as these break down into sugar in the mouth. As a result, they harm your smile in the same way as sweet treats.
#4: Dried Fruit
Dried fruit may seem like a safe option since fruit is supposed to be good for you, but it can still damage your pearly whites. Dried fruit is incredibly sticky, which means that oral bacteria can feed on it for a longer time. In addition, drying it out compresses the amount of sugar, meaning that it is often sweeter than regular fruit.
Be mindful of the holiday foods and drinks that you consume this season. Doing so will lessen your risk of a dental emergency so you can keep your teeth healthy and straw during the holidays and beyond!
About the Practice
Whether you are a new patient or a returning one, the team at D’Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is ready to help you protect your smile from harm this holiday season. They can teach you about the importance of practicing proper oral hygiene at home as well as what holiday foods and drinks you should avoid or be extra cautious with. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with D’Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry or want more information, visit their website or call (203) 288-0951 today.
