During the holiday season, the days are full of joyous cheer while our stomachs are often full of delicious food and drink. However, navigating all the office parties and family get-togethers without developing cavities can be a challenge. What can you do to maintain a healthy smile during this time of year? While brushing and flossing are important, choosing the right foods and drinks are also key to protecting your oral health. Below is a list from a dentist in Moses Lake highlighting some of the best and worst holiday foods for your smile.
What Holiday Foods Should You Avoid?
Here are few classic holiday treats that can do major damage to your teeth.
#1: Candy Canes
No matter how you eat them, candy canes can increase the risk of cavities. Sucking on a candy cane exposes your teeth to sugar for a long period of time. However, crunching on a candy cane instead can lead to tiny pieces getting stuck in between your teeth. Either way, candy canes can give bacteria plenty of time to feast on sugar and produce the acids that wear down tooth enamel.
#2: Egg Nog
Is eggnog your go-to holiday drink? You may be surprised to learn that just one serving of traditional eggnog contains roughly 20 grams of sugar. That is about half the recommended daily limit for men and almost the full recommended daily limit for women! All that sugar can stick on your teeth and lead to tooth decay.
#3 Chocolate
Don’t panic – you do not have to avoid eating chocolate entirely! However, you should try to stay away from milk chocolate, which typically contains higher levels of sugar. If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, choose dark chocolate. Dark chocolate usually contains less sugar and boasts higher levels of cocoa, which contains bacteria-fighting antioxidants.
What Holiday Foods Are Safe for Teeth?
You can snack on the following foods throughout the holiday season without worrying about your smile.
#1: Nuts
Get your holiday nutcrackers ready! Walnuts, almonds and many other nuts supply a healthy dose of calcium, which helps keep your teeth strong. They also stimulate saliva, which cleans the mouth by washing away bacteria and food debris.
#2: Cheese
Don’t be shy when the cheese platter gets passed around at the next holiday party! The protein in cheese, called casein, coats the teeth in a protective film that prevent acids from attacking enamel. The low pH levels of cheese also help make the mouth a less acidic environment overall.
#3: Turkey
From Thanksgiving through the winter holidays, turkey is a traditional dish that can fill your stomach without harming your teeth. This holiday staple contains phosphorous, which works with calcium to fortify enamel. Turkey is also non-fermentable, which means it does not trigger cavity-causing responses in the mouth.
Preventing cavities during the holiday season is possible with a little planning and awareness. Follow the tips above to stay healthy throughout this year’s festivities and avoid an unplanned visit to a dentist in Moses Lake.
About the Author
For over 20 years, Dr. Craig Harder has helped residents of the Moses Lake area maintain healthy smiles through preventive dentistry. He provides everything from professional cleanings to fluoride treatments and more at Moses Lake Family Dentistry. To learn more about how to protect your teeth during the holidays, visit the Moses Lake Family Dentistry website or call Dr. Harder at 509-765-4351.