Keep Your Teeth Healthy this Holiday Season

We know how much you love us but it is a safe bet that your dentist is probably not the person you want to go visiting during the holiday season.  We would love to see you for a cleaning or whitening before those family pictures, but we know how it is.  We’re going to offer some tips and advice for making the most out of the holidays without damaging your teeth in the process.

Avoid Chewy Treats

Candy comes in many varieties during the holidays but the worst for your teeth is the chewy taffy stuff.  These sticky substances can lodge in your teeth and hang around for days, inviting the risk for tooth decay and gingivitis.  Munch your sweets sparingly and try to avoid the sticky, chewy ones.

Don’t Crack Nuts with your Teeth

Nuts are a great holiday snack, offering protein instead of sugar.  However, be careful how you crunch through these things.  The hardness can cause serious tooth and gum damage if you mow through them without cracking them first.  Shell the nuts and then enjoy.  Your teeth will thank you.

No Nail Biting

We know, you’ll be with family and Aunt Edna all season and the nerves usually take a toll on your nails but nail biting is not good for your teeth.  Find other ways to deal with the nerves of the season, like egg nog!  On that note, don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages.  This can chip or damage teeth, requiring root canals.

Avoid Crunching Hard Candy

It’s true, we don’t want you chewing the gummy stuff either but crunching into excessively hard surfaces like ice or hard candy can chip or damage teeth, causing health problems and sometimes requiring surgery.

The holidays are a great time for food and sweets but take care of your precious enamel along the way and your smile will show.