The Holidays, Sweets And Your Teeth

The holidays are upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we are in December, the main holiday month. The holidays are such a great time to relax and unwind from work and school and spend time with family and friends.

Most people spend the holidays with friends and family at holiday parties. The average family attends 5-6 holiday parties from the middle of December to New Year’s Day. The parties are a fun and relaxing time spent mingling, eating, and enjoying our favorite adult beverages.

Many people joke about the extra 10-15 pounds they put on every year during the holidays. While this is true for some, we rarely consider the strain and abuse we put on our teeth during the holidays. This is due to the increase in sugar we consume in the form of pies, cookies, cakes, and sugar-based drinks.

Some of the food we enjoy during the holidays can cause damage to our teeth and overall dental health. However, there are steps we can take to lessen the damage to our teeth during the holidays.

Limit the amount of time sugar stays on the teeth. The longer sugar stays on your teeth, the more damage it can cause.

Drink water. Water consumption after eating sugar helps rinse the sugar off your teeth. Drinking water can also help you eat and drink less, thus consuming less sugar products in the first place.

Chew sugarless gum. This will help remove sugar from your teeth while also giving your breath a fresh boost.

Brush your teeth. This may be the hardest to pull off at a holiday party. However, when this is an option, brushing your teeth shortly after consuming sugar will lessen the time the sugar has on your teeth to start causing damage. Everyone should enjoy the holidays with friends and family and try to enjoy sugar in moderation. The tips above can really help protect your teeth during the holidays. However, nothing gets your teeth clean like a trip to your dentist.

Looking to find the right dentist to provide the best results to keep your teeth clean and safe from the holiday sugar fest? Look no further! Dr. Hugh B. Rosenblatt DMD, PA can help you achieve that clean and beautiful smile you desire. Servicing the Boynton Beach area, schedule your appointment today (561) 737-8559 or visit our website www.boyntondentist.com.