Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During the Holiday Season

You will have access to many different types of foods during the holiday season. Some of the foods will be healthier for your teeth than others will be. Even among sugary treats, some are better for your oral health than others. The more good choices you make with regards to your food selection, the better off your teeth will be in the long run. It's not always easy to know which treats are going to be better for your teeth, so this article can help you enjoy holiday treats while doing your teeth less damage.

Choose Dark Chocolate Over Other Types of Chocolate

Milk chocolate is full of sugar and acids that can lead to cavities. However, this doesn't mean this is the case for all types of chocolate. In fact, dark chocolate is actually good for your teeth. It has polyphenols that help fend off bacteria; tannins that decrease the amount of bacteria that sticks to teeth; antioxidants that can decrease your chances of developing periodontal disease; and flavonoids that can help to slow tooth decay.

Choose the Least Sticky Candy

The stickier a candy is, the longer it will remain on your teeth. Also, it will cause other food you eat afterward to attach to your teeth. This can lead to an excessive amount of plaque build-up that can lead to the development of cavities.

If you are going to eat something sweet, you should at least choose something that won't linger on your teeth. Going with a cookie, piece of cake or a piece of chocolate will be better on your teeth than eating caramel candies, taffy candies or peanut brittle.

Choose Soft Candies

Hard candies do come with the added risk of chipping your teeth. Plus, they will stick in your teeth and cause the same problems sticky candies do.

Chew sugarless gum

Since it may not be feasible for you to go to the bathroom and brush your teeth each time you eat something bad for your teeth, you may want to keep sugarless gum on you. Chewing the gum after you eat some of those holiday sweets will help remove the leftover particles from your teeth.

You should also carry floss on you to holiday functions in case you find yourself eating something that gets stuck in your teeth. If you wear braces, it's important for you to bring a travel toothbrush and toothpaste with you so you can sneak away and brush every time you eat something.

If you need more tips on how to avoid cavities this holiday season, consider talking to a dentist, like Kyle J Frisinger DMD, for more advice.


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