With the holiday season here, sweet treats are all around us. As delicious as they are, unfortunately, they are the leading cause for tooth decay. You can still enjoy all the delicious holiday treats and keep your smile bright and healthy. Here’s a few tips from our Raleigh Comprehensive Dentist on how:
- Go sugar-free whenever possible – Whether you’re buying or baking yourself, there are usually options for sugar free or reduced sugar treats. Cut the amount of sugar in baking recipes, or use substitutes like xylitol, which is a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many types of sugar-free gum.
- Use a straw – Certain beverages have high amounts of acid that can eat away at your teeth’s enamel. Drinking these through a straw can help reduce the amount of acid that sticks to your teeth while drinking. Drinking water frequently can also help to rinse off some of the acid that sticks.
- Chew sugar-free gum – After snacking on sweets, chewing sugar-free gum can help to reduce the amount of bacteria that sugar leaves in your mouth that causes tooth decay. Chewing gum can even help to prevent you from unnecessary snacking, or curbing cravings for something sweet.
- Carry an extra toothbrush – Pack a toothbrush and toothpaste in your purse or bag when you go to holiday parties, or family member’s houses for dinner. After you eat, you can brush your teeth, and cleanse your mouth of all that sugar and bacteria. A nice, clean mouth can also prevent you from eating more.
To keep your smile bright and healthy this holiday season, call our family dentist at 919-386-6900 or schedule an appointment today.
Call us at: