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Once Halloween ends, candy canes start popping up in stores all over the country in preparation for Thanksgiving and Christmas. While all candy is detrimental to dental care because of high sugar content, these “canes” are among the worst offenders. They sit in the mouth as you suck on them, coating your teeth with sugar. Candy canes also risk fractured and chipped teeth when you bite into them. Here are a few tips for consuming these popular holiday treats safely to avoid an emergency visit to the dentist’s office.

Do:

Purchase sugar-free options.

Minimize your risk of plaque formation and tooth decay by purchasing sugar-free candy canes. Apply this tip to all hard candies to keep excess sugar out of your mouth, and encourage your family and friends to do the same. You can also buy sugar-free gum with the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance instead of eating hard candies during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Enjoy them in different ways.

dental careInstead of allowing a candy cane to disintegrate in your mouth, look for other ways to consume them. Use candy cane crumbles as cookie topping or to flavor hot cocoa. This reduces the amount of time the sweet treat stays on your lips, so mouth bacteria have less time to feed on the sugar and form decay-causing acids.

Don’t:

Consume longer, bigger candy canes.

Opt for kid-size candy canes instead of the traditional long ones. Giant candy canes should be avoided as part of healthy holiday dental care. If you do purchase long or giant candy canes, add them to Christmas displays only. They look lovely on Christmas trees or nestled among holiday-themed plush toys, for example.

Forget to brush your teeth.

Remember to brush your teeth 20 to 30 minutes after meals, whether they include candy canes or not. Waiting to clean your teeth gives saliva enough time to neutralize mouth acids, so you don’t brush them into tooth enamel. Also, remember to floss once a day or any time there’s something lodged in your teeth, such as a piece of hard candy. 

 

Make a dentist appointment this holiday season to keep your smile healthy and bright. Lowitz & Meier has provided families throughout Cincinnati, OH, and the surrounding communities with high-quality dental care, and they specialize in all areas of cosmetic dentistry for extra convenience. Call (513) 521-8900 today to schedule an appointment, or learn more about their dental care services online

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