The holidays can be a time for fun and excitement, or they can be a time for unexpected and unwelcome surprises. What can start as an enjoyable evening of good food and memorable stories can quickly turn into a visit to the emergency dentist’s office. Whether it’s a crack caused by a hard nut you ate or intense tooth pain brought on by a steaming cup of hot cocoa, consider avoiding (or limiting) your consumption of these holiday foods.
Which Holiday Foods Are Best to Avoid (or Limit)?
It can be hard to bypass all the delicious holiday dishes and snacks that find their way to the table each year. Although it’s best to avoid the following foods altogether, it’s best to proceed with extreme caution if you attempt to bite into any of these items:
- Candy Canes: The red and white striped holiday staple may be enticing to eat, but biting down on one of these can leave you with a small crack or chip you don’t expect. Not to mention, they’re full of sugar, so they open the door for cavities to form.
- Caramel Corn: A delicious twist on traditional popcorn, caramel corn may taste good, but it can get stuck between your teeth. This means that bacteria and sugar are left to wreak havoc on your pearly whites, increasing the risk of dental decay.
- Peanut Brittle: This treat may be crunchy and tasty, but it can cause you to break a tooth and need immediate treatment from your emergency dentist. It can also dislodge a dental filling.
- Wine or Sweet Hot Beverages: Acid content from wine and sugar from sweet drinks like hot cocoa can break down your tooth enamel, causing dental pain that requires emergency treatment. Even the tiniest crack can form as a result of the erosion, which can cause intense sensitivity.
Which Holiday Foods Can You Safely Enjoy?
While some of the items on the above-mentioned list might not be a surprise, you may still be saddened at the idea of avoiding these foods this holiday season. Fortunately, there are plenty of others that will satisfy your taste buds, such as:
- Dark chocolate
- Cheese
- Gingerbread
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Lean meats, like turkey or chicken
As you approach the holiday season, think about your options and how they can affect your teeth. By being mindful of which foods you eat, you can ensure a safer, happier, and healthier smile in the coming year.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Dean is a local dentist who believes in the power of good oral and overall health. Helping his patients achieve beautiful smiles is what he looks forward to most each day. Working closely with each individual to meet their unique needs, he offers regular tips to not only ensure every person maintains a cavity-free smile throughout the year but even more so around the holidays. If you want to avoid putting your pearly whites at risk this season, contact us at (770) 786-3915 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Dean.