Healthy Teeth for the Holidays Reminder
Although Chittenden Dental gently reminds you every year how important it is to watch what you eat because of teeth and gums, sometimes it’s easy to forget.
According to Dr. Morris you really are what you eat: What you consume all year round is imperative, but even more so during the holiday season.
Human tendency is to over-indulge thinking it’s, “Okay just this once,” too much sugar and starchy foods send more people to the dentist’s chair than you know. It can also lead to chronic high blood sugar, diabetes, high cholesterol and other systemic diseases.
While it may be impossible to avoid all of the goodies, eating a well-balanced diet with the occasional treat is okay as long as you don’t over indulge. The old saying, “everything in moderation” couldn’t be truer at the holiday table!
Not so Good Holiday Foods for Teeth
Candy, whether soft or hard isn’t good for teeth. Chewy taffy and gummies can even cause problems for your jaw because they are difficult gnaw through. Soft candy is also as notorious for dental restoration accidents and damage as is hard candy.
Speaking of hard candy, you are getting a double dose of trouble with butterscotch and candy canes as well as any candy that you hold in your mouth for long periods of time.
Firstly, when you suck on hard candy you are bathing your teeth in sugar for extended amounts of time… this can cause cavities more often than something like a candy bar that you eat more quickly. Secondly, if you bite down you could break a tooth as our teeth are not designed to handle such hard food. Just one more reason to stay away from hard candy year round!
Soda Energy and Sports Drinks
Although you may think you are doing your body good, many times you really aren’t. Read the label on your favorite soda, energy or sports drink and you will see that most contain an exuberant amount of sugar. On top of the sugar they all contain carbonation. Carbonation is bad for teeth and will eat away at the enamel on your teeth. The combination of carbonation and sugar is detrimental to your smile!
Drink water instead and you will find yourself spending more time in the gym and less time in the dentist’s chair.
Starchy Foods and Teeth
Although most people know the problems that come with starchy foods its easy to forget when it comes to your grandmothers bread, cake and cookie recipes. Everyone has a favorite baked good and when eaten in moderation are great for comfort and memories. With that being said eating an entire tray of fudge brownies won’t do your teeth or your body any good.
If you choose to have one, drink a glass of water after enjoying to rinse away the food particles.
Dental Checkups in Burlington
Along with the holidays come unexpected emergencies. Schedule an appointment with Chittenden Dental to make sure your teeth, gums and dental restorations are up to the task and to ensure your emergency doesn’t ruin your holiday season!
