It’s that time of the year again! The end of one chapter and the beginning of a new journey. Out with 2018 and in with 2019. If one of your resolutions is to lose weight, we’ll give you one, compelling reason to help you with your challenge. If you eat bad foods, your teeth may be at risk.
There are a variety of reasons why we may go for those rich and sweet foods during the winter months. You may be cooking more with family. The weather is colder, and the days are shorter which mean that we are inside our homes more and the kitchen can be very enticing. Here are a few, quick tips to help you prevent hurting your teeth if you’re a fan of holiday treats.
FOODS TO AVOID
Cookies, candy canes, holiday drinks and pies. They are all staples at your holiday parties. But why are they bad for your teeth? The main ingredient in all of them is sugar.
There are different kinds of bacteria in the mouth and some of them feed off sugar. This may lead to your enamel being destroyed and then, tooth decay.
FIGHT THE SUGAR
If you cannot resist eating holiday treats, remember to engage in proper oral hygiene. The way you take care of your teeth will significantly determine the health of your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends these basics for your oral care:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Use toothpaste with fluoride
- Floss
- Eat healthy foods. The ADA has a list of holiday treats.
You should also be hydrating every day. Water will help rinse food and sugar particles out of your mouth and create saliva in your mouth. Saliva will help fight off the acid in your mouth to prevent damage to the enamel.
“The holidays should be a happy time with family and friends. I don’t expect you to entirely avoid the sweets, but if you are eating foods that are not healthy for your teeth, remember to practice good oral hygiene habits,” advised Dr. Alejandro Cavazos, Advanced Smile Care. “Meantime, you might want to consider a visit to our office in January for a hygiene cleaning to make sure all the holiday treats are out of your teeth. We can help you get your teeth off to a healthy start for 2019.”
COME SEE US
For nearly 40-years, our team led by Dr. Jason Kboudi, DDS, has been San Antonio’s premier dental practice for creating transformational smiles. At Advanced Smile Care, we do it all. Whether it be a full-smile makeover, dental implants, dentures or sedation to get you through your treatment, as we like to say, “It shouldn’t hurt to smile.”
