With all the festive music and dazzling lights around town, you know that the holiday season has arrived. Whether you plan on traveling or spending time with friends and loved ones, you’re bound to enjoy plenty of delicious meals during this time. However, you’ll want to preserve your teeth throughout the following months, as many treats can be detrimental to your oral health. Keep reading to learn six holiday foods you should watch out for during the festivities!
6 Foods to Be Cautious of During the Holidays
There are plenty of staple meals for the holidays that are by no means “mouth-friendly”, including sugary pecan pie and sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows. While many of them are tasty, they can also potentially harm your smile by damaging teeth or increasing the risk of bacteria and decay. Here are several foods you’ll want to be careful with:
- Sticky snacks, such as taffy and caramel
- Hard or crunchy foods, like raw nuts
- Dried fruits, such as raisins
- Sugary pastries
- Candy canes
- Eggnog
Several Smile-Friendly Meals to Consider
Although some meals can be risky for your oral health, you can still enjoy plenty of delicious alternatives. Try munching on safer options, including:
- Salads
- Lean protein, like chicken and turkey
- Cooked vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Fresh fruits
- Green bean casserole (with no raw nuts)
- Soft dinner rolls
- Pumpkin pie
- Red wine (but in moderation and through a straw)
How to Maintain a Healthy Smile this Season
Being aware of the proper foods to munch on is only the first part of maintaining a healthy and happy smile during the holiday season. You should also try prioritizing a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash routinely. Also, you’ll want to avoid eating throughout the day, even though there may be plenty of food around you. Exposing your teeth to sugars and food particles for prolonged periods can put you at risk of developing cavities later on. And if you haven’t already, schedule your next dental checkup and cleaning to prevent serious issues from starting, such as decay and gum disease.
To avoid needing an emergency dental visit during the holidays, make sure to choose your meals wisely. If you want to know more about preserving healthy pearly whites, feel free to speak with your dentist!
About the Author
Dr. Vy Tran earned her dental doctorate from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She regularly seeks continuing education to expand her expertise and is also a member of several organizations like the Pankey Study Club and the Triple Crown Study Club. She provides a wide selection of high-quality services, including dental checkups/cleanings, fluoride treatment, fillings, and periodontal therapy. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call 410-729-9090.