With the holiday season in full swing, candy canes can be found all around. Whether you have a bowl sitting in your office kitchen or on the living room table at home, it can be tough to resist the temptation of these sweet treats. If you aren’t careful with your consumption, however, they can damage your smile. Avoid an emergency trip to the dentist by following these precautions. 

Do:

Brush your teeth after eating.

Always take the time for proper teeth cleaning after eating candy canes. They are full of sugar, which attracts the bacteria responsible for tooth decay. If you can’t brush immediately, sip water to rinse your mouth.

Keep yourself hydrated.

Drinking water also keeps you hydrated and prevents dry mouth. Saliva promotes good oral health by rinsing away bits of food and bacteria. It also promotes a healthy pH: If your mouth is too acidic, the protective enamel coating teeth wears down, making you more susceptible to cavities.

Don’t:

Snack all day long.

Limit your candy-cane consumption to after dinner. Keep them in a cupboard instead of an easily accessible bowl to combat temptation if necessary. Snacking allows a layer of sugar to coat your teeth and attract bacteria all day long.

Bite down on them.

Biting down on a candy cane can chip enamel. If a tooth is already weakened or damaged, it might even result in a crack requiring your dentist to do emergency restorative work. Only suck on candy canes.

Delay treatment if health issues arise. 

Oral health issues get worse with time–meaning more expensive treatments, not to mention pain. A small cavity from too much holiday sugar, for example, can usually be fixed with a filling. Leave it untreated and you might need a root canal. Never delay seeing your dentist if something is amiss.

Don’t let oral health issues put a damper on your holidays. For a dental care appointment in Eagle River, AK, turn to Alpine Family Dentistry. These professionals are proud to have served their community for over 20 years. In this time, they have built up a reputation for a friendly team and relaxed atmosphere. You can view a full list of their services, from tooth extractions to dental implants, on their website. To schedule an appointment with a dentist, call (907) 694-2409.