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For anyone with a sweet tooth, the abundance of candy and treats make the holiday season especially enjoyable. Carefully choosing your indulgences will help you avoid cavities during your next trip to the dentist. Since some festive desserts can damage the teeth make, the necessary swaps to safeguard your smile.

4 Holiday Treats That Can Harm Your Teeth

1. Sticky Sweets

Chewy candies, like taffy, butterscotch, and caramel, are high in sugar and sticky enough to adhere to the teeth and gums. They can even pull braces or Invisalign® treatments out of place. Avoid these sweets or eat them in small amounts and with water to lubricate the mouth and prevent them from sticking.

2. Baked Goods

dentistCookies, cakes, pies, and brownies are especially popular this time of year, but they’re loaded with cavity-causing sugars. Snack on the cheese and nut platter instead. Cheese is high in calcium, which strengthens teeth and reduces plaque, and nuts are filled with fatty acids that fight gum disease. If you can’t resist the baked goods, eat them after dinner since the mouth is already producing saliva, which will wash away residual sugars.

3. Candy Canes

This classic holiday symbol can harm your teeth because it takes a while to break down. The canes are made mostly of sugar, and sucking on one for a long period exposes the mouth to high amounts of cavity-causing sweeteners. Additionally, biting at the candy cane may cause the teeth to chip or crack, resulting in an emergency trip to the dentist.

4. Sugary Drinks

A mug of mulled wine, eggnog, or hot chocolate makes you feel cozy and content. However, the sugar in these beverages can hurt your teeth, especially when enhanced by sweet liquor, whipped cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles. Consume these festive drinks sparingly, or find sugar-free versions to enjoy.

 

If you want to safeguard your smile this holiday season, turn to Stephanie ML Wong, DMD, in Honolulu, HI. This skilled dentist and her team will perform a thorough cleaning and exam to ensure your teeth are free of cavities and lingering sugars. Get more information about their services online, or call (808) 732-3072 to schedule an appointment.

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