Holidays And Your Dental Care

Holiday treats and special foods are something many of us look forward to eating. The sweet treats and ever so tempting desserts can be a challenge for your teeth. But if you are careful your teeth don’t have to suffer while you enjoy the holiday foods. Having holiday dental problems is not a fun way to start the new year.

Why Do Sweet Foods And Drinks Cause Cavities?
Everyone has bacteria lurking in their mouth. This bacteria uses the sugars in the treats to grow and multiply. Unfortunately the result are acids which break down the tooth enamel. The bacterial film, also known as plaque, builds up on teeth. I usually tell kids that the bacteria are "tooth bugs" and the stuff they leave behind after digesting sugar is"poop" ...this usually gets their attention! Between the plaque and the acids, your teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay. Your gums are also more apt to become irritated and develop gingivitis. This doesn’t mean that treats are to be avoided totally. It just means a little preparation is needed. Having snacks throughout the day without brushing is what causes problems because the "tooth bugs" are still on your teeth. Every time you eat a sugary treat when these "tooth bugs" are still on your teeth, the acid (poop) attacks your teeth and breaks down the enamel. It’s not just the immediate eating time, but those acids are present in your mouth and on your teeth for up to twenty minutes after you eat.

Tips For Holiday Oral Hygiene

1. If you are going to have some cookies or other sweet treats, eat them as part of your meal. Saliva in your mouth helps break down food and also carry those harmful acids away from your teeth. This way the saliva you produce for regular meals will clean your mouth of food better. As a result there will be fewer acids in your mouth that can harm your teeth.
2. Lots of fruits on your holiday treat list? Fruits can be good for your health, but the acids in fruit can be harmful to your teeth. That doesn’t mean give up eating fruit.
3. After you eat fruit, rinse with water before you brush. The fruit acids can make your tooth enamel softer and more prone to cavities. By rinsing with water before brushing, you dilute the effects of the fruit acid and minimize the attack on your teeth.
4. Rinse your mouth with water or chew xylitol sugarless gum if you are unable to brush after eating. This will get rid of many of the food particles. You will also increase the amount of saliva in your mouth which is part of the natural cleansing process of your mouth.
5. If you have excessive dental work such as crowns, fillings or braces, you may want to avoid holiday treats like caramel or taffy. Sticky and chewy treats can pull old crowns, old fillings or orthodontic brackets. Definitely not part of holiday cheer.
6. On the other extreme, hard treats like nuts and peanut brittle can also break teeth. Unless you want to follow in President George Washington’s footsteps remember nutcrackers are made for cracking nuts. George Washington learned the hard way and ended up with dentures.

Enjoy the sugarplums and all the rest of the holiday season treats, just remember to do so in moderation. Floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day. Enjoy the holiday season and don’t forget to smile.