With the holiday season now in full swing, Dakota Dental has some tips on what habits to avoid during the holiday season, as well as ways to protect your teeth and enjoy your holiday favorites.
One main factor that makes the holiday season tougher on teeth is, of course, that the amount of sugary snacks available from Halloween through the end of the year seems to be much greater versus other times of the year. Sugar is one of the main fuels for the bacteria in your mouth to feed off of and create acids, which can wear away the enamel on teeth and cause cavities on teeth.
Simply being around more sugar-filled treats increases the chances you’ll consume more sugar during this time of the year. Not only is there a better chance that you’ll have more sugar, but it’s also likely that sugar consumption will be spread out throughout the day.
Constant snacking is harmful to teeth because the saliva in your mouth doesn’t have a chance to catch up and naturally clean the bacteria off of teeth. Without a significant break, the bacteria in your mouth is getting a steady stream of sugary fuel – which increases the likelihood of tooth decay.
A final factor to keep in mind during the holiday season is that travel and changes in your typical routine are sneaky ways that sugar can get the best of your teeth. Make sure to pack your toothbrush and floss when traveling – and make sure to use them!
You don’t have to be a total Scrooge and avoid all of your favorite holiday treats completely, but by keeping the importance of dental health in mind with these tips and taking care of your teeth with the help of Dakota Dental, you are sure to have a healthy smile all holiday season long!