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The holidays are often a time of indulging in your favorite foods; however, some festive treats can harm your teeth. To keep your smile brilliant and avoid an emergency trip to the dentist during the holidays, here are a few seasonal goodies to limit or avoid.

Which Festive Treats Are Bad for Your Teeth?

1. Caramels

These treats are sticky and chewy, so the cavity-causing sugars will cling to your teeth. You’ll need to rinse, brush, and floss thoroughly after eating it to remove the residue stuck to the teeth’s crevices. If you want to enjoy a sweet treat, eat a piece of dark chocolate instead since it isn’t as sticky and easier to wash away.

2. Candy Canes

dentistCandy canes are pure sugar, providing mouth bacteria with fuel to create acids that degrade the protective enamel. Additionally, since these treats take a while to finish, the sugars will linger in your mouth and encourage tooth decay further.

If you’re craving something sweet, opt for dried fruit or soft gingerbread cookies instead. If you want to enjoy the familiar peppermint taste, add a pump of flavored syrup to your morning coffee.

3. Crunchy Cookies

Holiday cookies covered in frosting expose your mouth to a lot of harmful sugars. Hard, crunchy varieties are especially detrimental because they may crack teeth or dislodge dental fillings. To avoid an emergency visit to the dentist for a chipped tooth, break your cookies or soften them in milk.

 

Support your teeth throughout the holiday season by visiting the dentist. If it’s time for an appointment, turn to James Julien DDS, and his team in Kenai, AK. These professionals will conduct a comprehensive exam to ensure festive goodies aren’t harming your teeth. They’ll also perform a thorough teeth cleaning to remove any lingering sweets and hard-to-reach food debris. Get more information about their services online, or call (907) 283-4857 to schedule an appointment.

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