Tips for Enjoying Holiday Sweets and Keeping that "Sweet Tooth" Intact

OK, it’s that time of year again when most of us eat until we can’t see straight and then nibble on the left-overs for weeks.  We get loads of Christmas goodies and treats to munch on throughout the day, and then we make our new years resolutions!  Eating a lot of holiday sweets may satisfy your "sweet tooth," but too much of a good thing might lead to unintended results for your teeth and gums.
One of the concerns with the holidays is the temptation to snack throughout the day.  Admittedly I don’t have a lot of willpower when it comes to all of the desserts, but it isn’t necessarily the amount of sugar in the sweets you put in your mouth but, rather the frequency of the snacks that can cause the damage.   The reason is a sticky film of bacteria called plaque that constantly forms on the teeth and gums. When these bacteria come in contact with the sugar or starch from the goodies in your mouth, they produce acid that attacks the teeth for 20 minutes or more. The more often you snack on things, the more repeat attacks of acid (additional 20 minute sessions) that can cause tooth enamel to breakdown, eventually resulting in problems with your oral health. Every time you put something sweet in your mouth you get another twenty minutes of high acid production.  If you don't bother to properly clean your teeth, the results might be tooth decay, gum disease and possible tooth loss.
Besides how often you snack, the length of time food is in your mouth plays a role in tooth decay. Because of this, the type of snack you put in your mouth makes a significant difference.  The stickier things are, like fruit cakes and gummy bears, the less likely they'll be washed out from between the teeth by saliva. Any kind of candy that sticks to your teeth is more harmful than a chocolate bar that gets washed away.  Also, hard candy and breath mints that stay in the mouth for long periods of time (unless they are sugar-free products) subject the teeth to acid attacks while the product remains in the mouth.

Here are some tips to help reduce tooth-decay risk and still enjoy holiday sweets:

Consume sugary foods with meals. Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.

Limit between-meals snacks. If you crave a snack, choose nutritious foods and consider chewing sugarless gum or brushing your teeth afterward. Sugarless gum increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and decay-producing acid.

Drink more water. Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay. If you choose bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content.

Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily.

See your dentist regularly.

Most of us will indulge, but the good thing is a little prevention will go a long way.  May you have a blessed and joyous holiday season.  As always e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions you may have.