The holidays are a great and special time of year but they can also be stressful. There is so much to do, and so much to prepare. By the time they actually roll around you may be harried and exhausted and likely feeling that you deserve all those sweet and salty treats and yummy indulgent beverages. But wait, think about your smile. You don’t want to spend time at the dentist during or immediately after the holidays because you made poor food choices. Eat healthy treats for your teeth this holiday.
Sweet Treats
You all know that sweet treats are not good for your teeth or overall health. All that processed sugar is not good for your body and definitely not good for your teeth. Rich, sticky cookies, caramels, fudge, and hard candies are enemies to your dental health. Hard candies remain in your mouth for long periods of time as they melt away and leave your mouth coated with a sugary residue. It is harder for your saliva to wash away treats that have a thick, sticky consistency so they too remain on your teeth for longer periods of time. The longer sugar remains on your teeth the worse the end result.
Salty Treats
You may not realize it but salty snacks are not great for your dental health either. Chips, popcorn, pretzels, and nuts can lodge between your teeth, especially popcorn hulls. The only sure way to remove food debris from between teeth is by flossing, and how many of you carry dental floss? The longer food remains between your teeth the more chance it has to develop into bacterial plaque and cause tooth decay.
Healthy Snacks
When you’re at the food table, try to skip the sweet and salties and head for the healthy snacks. Crisp fruits and vegetables are better for your teeth and include:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Apples
- Pears
Rather than stick to your teeth like sweet and salty snacks do, the above foods help clean your teeth and wash away harmful bacteria.
About Dr. Jeffrey Allen
Dr. Jeffrey Allen provides comfortable dental care to patients of all ages. Call (641) 628-1121 today to schedule a checkup and cleaning, cosmetic consultation, or second-opinion visit. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.