Choose Your Holiday Foods Wisely
This is an exciting time of year for many people with the upcoming holiday season and celebrations. This time of year is well known for feasting on traditional foods and drinking special holiday beverages. Many of our patients have told us about the recipes and foods they are looking forward to trying this holiday season. Of course, we want you to enjoy the holidays, but it is important to eat certain foods in moderation. You may be surprised by some of the foods that can cause problems with your oral health. Read on to learn more about problematic foods and some great alternatives.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid to Protect Your Teeth This Holiday Season
One of the best things about the holiday season are the special dishes we don’t normally eat during the rest of the year. It is a time when there always seems to be an activity, party, or get-together that involves food. Unfortunately, there are many foods that can lead to problems with decay in the future due to their high sugar content as well as their tendency to stick to your teeth. Foods you should limit or avoid include:
- Anything with caramel
- Pecan pie
- Eggnog
- Candy canes
- Carbonated and sugary beverages
Foods to Enjoy
There are plenty of amazing food options that you can choose as an alternative to the ones mentioned above:
- Cheese
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Dark or milk chocolate
Enjoy Everything in Moderation
Problematic foods, such as sweets, are best enjoyed immediately following a meal. This is when the saliva in your mouth is the highest and can help rinse away lingering food and bacteria. We also encourage you to enjoy foods that can negatively affect your teeth in moderation. We know that the holiday season is a time to enjoy, but we don’t want your indulgences now to negatively affect your oral health in the future.
Your oral health is important to us. If you or a loved one has not visited our office in some time for a hygiene examination and cleaning, now is a great time to schedule an appointment. Be sure to contact our office, which is located in The Woodlands, TX, to schedule an appointment. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you soon!
