During the Thanksgiving season and the Christmas season that follows, we often indulge in foods that aren’t good for your teeth. The foods are not inherently bad for your teeth, it’s the amount and the frequency that we eat that ends up being bad for your teeth.
Foods to Limit During the Holiday for the Sake of Your Teeth
• Cookies and Cupcakes: limit the amount you eat due to the sugar in them that make a breeding ground for bacteria which can cause tooth decay.
• Caramel Corn: this is a great snack that is low in calories however, the stickiness of the caramel and the kernels can get stuck between your teeth and can pull out fillings.
• Sodas, Eggnog, and Holiday Lattes: these drinks have a lot of sugar in them and this exposes your mouth to tooth devouring bacteria that can cause tooth decay if you over indulge.
Protecting Your Teeth During the Holidays
Just because these foods can be damaging to your teeth doesn’t mean that you can’t eat and enjoy them. As in most things in life, moderation is the key. Remember to regularly brush and floss to get rid of any particles that might have been left behind. An easy way to help keep your mouth healthy is to drink water throughout the day, it will help to wash away food particles and reduce bacteria from forming.
I hope this Tooth Talk has helped and please call and or email if you have any questions to: Integrity Dental Care, PLLC; (615) 445-8700, integritydentalcare@comcast.net
