Don’t Overindulge This Season!

The holiday season is here, and with it brings the hustle and bustle of the season, fun times with family and friends and the never-ending availability of seasonal treats! Most of these foods show up just once a year, like Santa Claus, and that’s a good thing because overindulging in them can mean problems for your teeth.

We just want to remind you that it is perfectly fine to indulge once in a while, but you may want to skip over some of these foods to keep your teeth happy in the new year.

Peanut Brittle. We get it; peanut brittle is delicious. It is also pretty unhealthy. Yes, we know peanuts are protein, but adding in sugar, corn syrup, and lots of butter can quickly make this candy not the best for your waistline. Because peanut brittle is hard and sticky, it also makes it bad for your teeth and can cause damage and impact restorations. If you do eat peanut brittle this season, rinse your mouth after you eat a small piece with cool water to help remove food debris and be sure to brush.

Eggnog. Eggnog isn’t for everyone, but those who love it know that it is yummy, spicy, and sweet. Unfortunately, it also has no nutritional value. The extra sugar added to this holiday drink makes it something you want to limit this season; not just because of its impact on the teeth, but because of how much it can impact your waistline. One cup of eggnog takes 90 minutes of walking or 40 minutes of jogging to burn off!

Gingerbread. We love gingerbread as much as you do, but because gingerbread is sugary and starchy (and delicious), it can stick in your teeth and feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay, enamel loss, and gum disease. Indulge if you must, but brush when you can after eating gingerbread or drinking a gingerbread latte!

Candy Canes. We know that candy canes are a staple for many people at Christmas time, but we suggest avoiding candy canes entirely. Why? Because they are 100 percent sugar, and they can cause teeth to chip or break if crunched too hard. They also are slow to dissolve, which means the sugar stays on your teeth longer and feed those decay-causing bacteria!

Remember – everything in moderation. It is okay to indulge once in a while but remember to keep up your good oral hygiene habits this holiday season! In need of a cleaning? Call us at 972-987-4899 to schedule your appointment.