Healthy Teeth and Holiday Foods

It’s November and that means the holidays are here. Halloween has come and gone and whether you celebrate or not, it is usually the day that ushers in the rest of the season starting with parties and buffet tables. If you have healthy teeth you’ll want to make sure you keep them that way.

While it’s always fun to gather together, it’s important to be aware of what you put in your mouth. You may love those delicious dried fruit platters but they are not good for healthy teeth and can do nearly as much damage as your favorite candy cane. 

Watch What You Eat During the Holidays for Healthy Teeth

According to Orange County’s favorite cosmetic dentist, what you put in your mouth plays a huge factor in not only your overall health, but healthy teeth and gums as well.

Below is a list of foods that  Jack Ringer, past president and Accredited Fellow with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, recommends avoiding.

Sports and Energy Drinks not for Healthy Teeth

Your local mixologist probably makes a mean concoction using Red Bull and your favorite ingredient. However, energy drinks like Red Bull are bad for teeth. Just like soda, energy drinks are loaded with sugar. Add the carbonation to the mix and you are causing real problems for your teeth.

Instead of sports and energy drinks, quench your thirst with water. Water keeps you hydrated and you won’t have to worry about the consequences.

Sticky Foods that are Bad for Teeth

Sticky foods aren’t good for natural or restored teeth. Anything that is sticky is likely to pull out a filling or two. Sticky foods also stay between and on your teeth making it hard to remove even with a toothbrush.

Dried fruit is just as bad and can stick to restored and healthy teeth as well. Sticky dried apricots, figs, and prunes are best enjoyed as part of a meal.

While you may savor a caramel apple or two this time of year, keep it to a minimum and don’t forget to rinse with water afterwards.

Watch the Starch

It’s tough to avoid delicious cakes, cookies, pies, and breads during the holidays. You can bet it’s just as hard to say no to pretzels and chips. However, saying no means less havoc on your teeth and gums.

Starchy foods contain sugar and stay on and between teeth. Once converted to acid and bacteria, starchy foods eat away at the enamel on your healthy teeth.

You may love a good sandwich, but make sure you load it up with tooth healthy veggies as well to keep starch to a minimum.

This holiday season watch what you eat. Your waistline and your teeth and gums will be happy you did and so will you.

In the meantime, if you haven’t seen your dentist in Anaheim Hills for some time, call and schedule a dental checkup or a cosmetic dentistry consultation today.