{"id":278,"date":"2023-12-01T23:10:16","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T23:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=278"},"modified":"2024-01-11T23:11:57","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T23:11:57","slug":"holiday-foods-and-are-they-the-worst-for-your-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/2023\/12\/01\/holiday-foods-and-are-they-the-worst-for-your-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Too Much Holiday Cheer Lead to Cavities?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AdobeStock_226291611__1704988756_38106.jpg\" alt=\"Christmas cookies\" class=\"wp-image-279\" width=\"308\" height=\"205\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AdobeStock_226291611__1704988756_38106.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AdobeStock_226291611__1704988756_38106-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/AdobeStock_226291611__1704988756_38106-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 308px) 100vw, 308px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>When it comes to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">holiday foods<\/a>, most people take the approach that \u201call bets are off\u201d and calories don\u2019t count. With this mindset, anything and everything can be eaten without remorse or consequence. Unfortunately, the body doesn\u2019t work that way, nor does the mouth. As a result, countless patients see their dentists after the new year only to discover they have one or more cavities that have formed. Keep reading to find out how to keep the holidays from being your smile\u2019s downfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Makes the Holidays Problematic For Your Smile?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you think about your daily routine and the foods you eat regularly and compare it to what you experience during the holidays, you\u2019ll likely see there are many significant differences \u2013 ones that can take a toll on your teeth and gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>If you\u2019re traveling for the holidays, there\u2019s a good chance that you may skip your oral hygiene routine so that you can stay up late or sleep in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Snacking foods are readily accessible because of how much time is spent sitting around with family and friends. Whether you\u2019re playing games or watching movies, snacks are likely to be within reach at all times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sugar is available in copious amounts. From cookies, cakes, pies, candy, and more, baking has become everyone\u2019s favorite hobby during the holiday season. This means overindulgence is at an all-time high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result of all of these listed above, cavities are common occurrences. When consuming lots of sugar and starch as well as neglecting your oral hygiene routine, it should come as no surprise when your dentist informs you that one or more dental fillings will be required during your New Year\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Can You Do to Avoid a Holiday Dental Health Problem?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want your next dental visit after the new year to be a positive one, consider keeping these helpful tips in mind as you navigate the holidays with family and friends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Drink more water and less soda, alcohol, and juice. Water will help to keep your salivary glands working and flush out harmful bacteria.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listen to your favorite Christmas music while brushing your teeth before bed and when you get up in the morning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Try to add more vegetables and protein to your plate instead of potatoes and cranberry sauce. This will expose your teeth and gums to valuable nutrients while reducing the chances of dangerous food particles causing plaque and tartar buildup.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When playing games or watching movies with family, try swapping sugary treats for healthier ones like fresh fruit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t throw caution to the wind when spending time with the ones you love. Take care of your teeth and gums, and you\u2019ll enjoy a healthier smile while ringing in the new year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<br><\/strong>Dr. Stephen Dean completed his bachelor\u2019s degree at the University of Georgia before going on to pursue a doctoral degree at the Medical University of South Carolina. His passion for the field is evident in his commitment to continuing education and completing courses at the Dawson Academy and the Pankey Institute. At Dean Dental Care, he and his team want patients to make wonderful memories during the holidays but not at the expense of their smiles. If you are looking to avoid dental fillings in the coming year, visit their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deandentalcare.com\/contact-us.html\">website<\/a> or call <strong>(770) 786-3915 <\/strong>to find out how we can help you steer clear of cavities this holiday season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to holiday foods, most people take the approach that \u201call bets are off\u201d and calories don\u2019t count. With this mindset, anything and everything can be eaten without remorse or consequence. Unfortunately, the body doesn\u2019t work that way, nor does the mouth. As a result, countless patients see their dentists after the new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Holiday Foods | Cavities | Dean Dental Care<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Worried your favorite holiday foods might lead to cavities this time of year? 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