The holiday season is that time of year when friends and families gather all over the world to share memories of the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. While everyone will want to indulge a bit at their holiday parties, it’s important to keep your dental health in mind. Many traditional holiday dishes can be high in ingredients that can cause harm to your teeth if you aren’t careful. Here are a couple of traditional holiday foods to be mindful of when you are celebrating this year.
Candy Canes Can Cause Dental Pain
No candy is more associated with the holidays than candy canes. While these are sweet, curved sticks of peppermint delight, they can be harsh on your dental health. Candy canes are basically hardened peppermint-flavored sugar, and sucking on them can coat your mouth in cavity-causing sugary residue. Chewing on them isn’t much better, because they can get stuck in the pits of your molars and can even be so hard that they cause chips or cracks in your teeth. Enjoy candy canes in moderation.
Eggnog Is Acidic and Sugary
Eggnog is the celebrated traditional spirit of the holiday season, but its ingredients make it a triple threat to your dental health. Eggnog contains alcohol, which is acidic. As soon as acid makes contact with your teeth, it begins to weaken your enamel, which makes them more vulnerable to decay and injury. It’s also high in sugar, which feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. To make matters worse, its dairy ingredients can cause bad breath by forming sulfur compounds in your mouth.
Stuffing Is Very Starchy
The traditional stuffing that comes with turkey isn’t known for being sweet, but that doesn’t make it harmless. It’s rich in starch, and starches break down into the same simple sugars that feed harmful oral bacteria. It can also get stuck in your teeth, meaning it can easily breed bacterial colonies in a perfect position to attack your enamel. Enjoy stuffing in moderation and eat plenty of fibrous veggies alongside it.
While all of these dishes can be enjoyed in moderation, you can do a lot to keep your teeth safe during the holidays by practicing excellent oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, and scheduling your next routine dental appointment. If you keep your smile in good shape, it will be just as pretty for the holidays next year.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Tomaszewski earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the LSU School of Dentistry before joining the U.S. Navy Dental Corps and completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency while living in Okinawa, Japan. He has also spent time on the faculty at LSUSD as a part-time clinical assistant professor. His office in Slidell, LA offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy during the holidays, contact his office online or dial (985) 641-4444.
