The holidays are a wonderful opportunity to catch up with family members and make memories, but the delicious food is also a major factor in the fun toward the end of the year. Some foods can make like tough on your teeth, and it’s important to be aware of them so you can act accordingly. Keep reading to learn from your dentist in Pittsburgh about some tasty holiday foods that require caution and pack your toothbrush for safety.
Cookies
You don’t need an expert to tell you that cookies and other sugary baked goods can be problematic for your teeth. There are going to be a lot of opportunities to indulge in this regard around the holidays, so try your best to exercise moderation with such things. Anytime you eat something with sugar, brushing your teeth soon afterward can be beneficial. Even swishing some water around in your mouth can remove some food particles and slow the efforts of harmful bacteria.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit may taste good like fresh fruit, but it is generally more problematic for your teeth. It can stick to your enamel similarly to gummy candy, which fuels cavity-causing bacteria. The reason fresh fruit isn’t always better is that something very acidic like a lemon, for example, is hard on your enamel.
Eggnog
Considered an acquired taste by some, eggnog certainly has its fans to go along with more than its fair share of sugar. Alcohol is no picnic for your tooth enamel either, but eggnog is the main concern in that regard. A sugar-free gin and tonic is much more tooth-friendly if you are looking for some holiday spirits.
Candy Canes
Candy canes get to represent all the problematic, sugary holiday candy for the purposes of this blog post. The double whammy with hard candy is that it has all the sugar concerns for your teeth, but it adds the threat of cracking a tooth if it is bitten into once too often.
Stuffing
Also known as dressing depending on how it is served, this side dish has many fans during the holiday season. This item might not be as obvious of an inclusion as the others in a dental blog but consider that stuffing is primarily made from herbs and a starch such as bread. Just like sugary foods, starchy items promote the growth of anaerobic bacteria which feed on the sugars that starches are broken down into. The bacteria secrete acid as they metabolize the sugars, hence the problem for your tooth enamel.
These are certainly just a few selections among the many holiday foods that arguably taste great but definitely pose a threat to your teeth. The best thing you can do is not to have too many of these items if you have them at all and remember that brushing your teeth after having sugary or starchy foods is a wise choice!
About the Practice
At Warwick Dentistry, you can count on us to take great care of your teeth and work with your busy schedule. For more than three decades, we’ve been providing comprehensive, convenient, and customized dentistry right here in the heart of Pittsburgh. We are open early (7 a.m.) four days per week and late (7 p.m.) two nights per week to give you some flexibility. We know how challenging it can be to make smart food choices during the holidays, but that part about keeping your toothbrush handy makes an enormous difference. We’ll be here after the holidays for a dental exam and cleaning to ensure that your teeth and doing great heading into the New Year. To schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (412) 391-1130.