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Holidays give people an excuse to eat delicious sweets and other treats. However, indulging in a lot of sugary foods each day can encourage the growth of acid-producing bacteria in your mouth and lead to premature tooth decay and enamel erosion. By following a few simple steps, you can enjoy tasty desserts while still protecting your teeth in a way that would make your dentist proud.

How to Eat Sweets & Protect Teeth

1. Limit Consumption & Don’t Eat Them Alone

Try to eat all of your sugary treats with more substantial meals. When you eat a full meal, the mouth produces extra saliva, which helps neutralize acid and wash away excess food particles. Don’t snack between meals; if you do, choose something nutritious rather than something packed with sugar.

Limit your sugar indulgences to one time per day. If you eat sweets consistently throughout the day, you feeding cavity-causing bacteria all day long and allow them to produce acid.

2. Practice Proper Dental Care

dentistDon’t let the stress of the holidays or your hectic schedule prevent you from following a normal dental care routine. Brush your teeth at least twice per day and floss once per day. Drinking a lot of fluoridated water throughout the day also helps rinse excess food particles and sugar out of the mouth while protecting your teeth.

3. Visit the Dentist Routinely

If your regular dental exam falls within the holiday season, it can be tempting to put it off until next year. However, the end of the year is one of the most important times to think about dental care. Allow your dentist to catch any possible issues and help you protect your teeth from damage.

 

Set your holiday dental care appointment with the compassionate dentists at Beard & Holmen in Waterloo, IL. They’ve been serving the residents of the area for more than 25 years, proudly providing general dentistry services—including dental exams and teeth cleanings—as well as cosmetic and advanced dentistry services. Make an appointment today by calling (618) 939-7181. Learn more about the practice online.

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