Sounds like a contradictory statement, right? Well it's not! Listen to our tips on how to walk away from the Holiday season cavity-free without avoiding the delectable treats.
Wash it down, the right way.
If you are partaking in holiday treats, try to wash it down with water instead of another sugary beverage. Soft drinks, sports drinks and flavored coffee creamers contain high amounts of sugar, which can lead to cavities. Even diet sodas contain phosphoric acid, citric acid, and carbonic acid, which erode teeth enamel by literally eating away the surface of your teeth. Replacing carbonated beverages that are high in sugar with healthier alternatives, like no-sugar-added juices and water, will be beneficial to your teeth, as well as to your waistline. If you are wanting to have an alcoholic beverage, try using sugar free mixers or naturally occurring flavors like sliced citrus, crushed berries, and mint leaves.
If you’ve got ‘em, floss ‘em.
In addition to the golden rule of brushing twice a day, it is also important to remove food particles and bacteria from the areas between your teeth. Contrary to news going around that “flossing is ineffective”, a high percentage of dental decay occurs between teeth. Using dental floss, an interdental pick, or a water pick, can help prevent gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to serious health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Cleaning between your teeth daily keeps your breath fresh, prevents tooth decay and is important for your overall health. Your technique in floss does matter. Our advice is to wrap about a foot of floss around your index fingers, keeping about two inches between your fingers to work with. Unroll a fresh section of floss for each tooth, and keep the floss tight against the tooth to break up plaque while leaving your gums in good shape.
Temptation is waiting for you from the minute you arrive at the holiday party and there is no doubt the snacks, drinks and sweets always look delicious and are often difficult to avoid. Even if you are one of those extraordinarily dedicated people who can turn down the sweet, irresistible temptations, it can be hard to not offend the host who worked hard to make these treats. Just remember, it’s not the amount of sugar or acid you consume, it’s more about the frequency. Try to limit the frequency and if you do feel the need to keep snacking, brush your teeth in-between to avoid decay setting in.
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Dr. Andrew Bruening & Dr. Carissa Bruening
are General Dentists located in Chesterfield, Missouri.
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