The holidays bring with them all sorts of fun activities and traditions. Oftentimes, the food and treats we eat are part of those traditions. At Cannon Park, we don’t want you to miss out on all the yummy fun, but we do recommend taking a closer look at what you eat this season.
Check out our list and find out which foods from your holiday spread require an extra brushing and which are safe!
Candy Canes: Naughty
Candy canes are basically all sugar and corn syrup, both of which can damage the enamel of your teeth if they sit on it too long. Pieces of this treat can get easily stuck in your teeth. Be sure to give them a thorough brush after enjoying this classic Christmas treat.
Cheese: Nice
Snacking on cheese is good for your teeth because it promotes the production of saliva, which helps lower the risk of tooth decay and keep enamel healthy. Cheese also contains calcium, helping your teeth stay strong and lowering the pH balance of your mouth to combat tooth decay, too!
Vegetables: Nice
Vegetable trays are almost always present at holiday events. Make sure to grab a few carrots, broccoli, celery or other veggies on the tray. All vegetables contain important vitamins, and snacking on vegetables is a great alternative to holiday candy.
Caramel Corn: Naughty
Caramel isn’t just sugar- it’s liquid, sticky sugar, which makes it much harder to remove from your teeth. Letting caramel and any caramel snacks, like peanut brittle, sit on your teeth too long can do some serious damage to your enamel. You should brush after indulging in these types of sweet treats!
Nuts: Nice
Nuts are a great snacking alternative for the holidays. There are a million varieties to choose from and they have fatty acids that can help prevent against gum disease. Just be sure that if you are cracking any open, you’re using a nutcracker and not your teeth!
Christmas Cookies: Naughty
Again, the overwhelming amount of sugar in these treats is the issue. Not only are Christmas cookies an issue, but almost all baked goods have high sugar, even fruitcake! You and Santa can both enjoy a few Christmas cookies, but be sure to brush after having any baked goods.
You may not be able to avoid every ‘naughty’ holiday food this season, and that’s okay! Brushing after eating and drinking water throughout the day should help you combat any possible damage.
Once you make it through the season, contact Cannon Park Dental to get your appointment set up for the new year and start 2018 out right!