Tips To Enjoy Teeth-Friendly Christmas Celebrations

Christmas is around the corner, and your busy holiday schedule is probably filling up fast. With festive parties, family get-togethers, and office celebrations, your schedule may be booked solid. But there are certain things you should keep in mind when it comes to your teeth. Here are the tips to take care of your teeth:

Don't Chew on Hard Candy

Sugary treats are a big no-no for your teeth, and that includes hard candies like candy canes. These sugary treats can stick to your enamel, and the more sugar you have in your mouth, the higher the risk for tooth decay. Additionally, if you wear braces, it's especially important to avoid hard candy. You don't want an orthodontic bracket or band to break because you bit into something too hard!

If you do enjoy sweets during the holidays, try to rinse your mouth out with water immediately after eating them. You should also drink plenty of water so that you're not constantly bathing your teeth in the sugars from your favorite holiday beverages.

Avoid Sticky Sweets

Don't overlook the fact that sticky candies can be damaging to your teeth, too! For example, candy canes and other hard sweets can chip away at your enamel and get stuck in between teeth. Sticky caramels and toffees are certainly safer than candy apples and other sugary fruits that can actually pierce or cut your gums. Those types of fruit stick to your teeth or even get stuck under your gum line, which will cause significant pain and possibly require an emergency trip to the dentist. 

Choose Soft Chocolates 

These won't damage your teeth as long as you don't intentionally bite into them! Chocolate is also a superfood for your smile. It contains antioxidants that can help protect your teeth and gums from plaque and cavities. Just make sure you're only eating the plain chocolate and not the sugar-laden kind with caramel and nuts added in!

Try Sugarless Gum

You likely know that sticky foods can wreak havoc on your teeth and gum line. Not only does eating too much sugar weaken your teeth, but it can also weaken your gum tissue. However, there are alternatives to sugary treats that still satisfy your sweet tooth. For instance, sugarless gum not only helps you improve your oral health, but it can also help you avoid cavities this holiday season and beyond.

Non-sugary chewing helps stimulate saliva production in the mouth. Saliva plays an important role in protecting against tooth decay by washing away bacteria and food particles from the mouth. Additionally, chewing gum can help reduce cravings for sugary snacks, making it an ideal snack option in between meals. Just ensure that you opt for sugar-free varieties for optimal oral health benefits!

Sip Your Favorite Beverages

Drinking water throughout the day helps you stay hydrated, which is key to good oral health. However, you don't have to give up your glass of eggnog or cup of hot chocolate at holiday parties. If you do choose to indulge in a few glasses of something sweet or bubbly, make sure to drink a glass of water to balance it out and rinse out your mouth afterward.

Our staff at Woodruff Family Dental is available to assist you and your entire family in taking care of your oral health. Call (870) 972-8190 to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Come see us at 2800 Enterprise Cv, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or send us an email.