Holiday Treats That Are Bad for Teeth

The holidays have arrived and that means lots of buffet tables loaded with your favorite foods. However, some of those goodies are just as bad for your teeth as they are for your waistline.

According to your dentist in Kerrville, what you put in your mouth over the holidays could put you in the dentist’s chair for an unexpected visit.

Below are a few foods and beverages that you should avoid over the holidays.

Starchy Foods Not Healthy for Teeth

All of those Christmas cakes and cookies along with potato chips, pretzels and your favorite Chex Mix are full of starch. That starch quickly converts to acid and dangerous bacteria. If you must indulge, rinse your teeth as soon as possible and give your teeth a brush when you get a minute.

Hard Candy is Bad for Teeth

You may love to suck on a candy cane all day long. However, Dr. Carroll Butler advises against it. Sucking on hard candy is like bathing your teeth in a sugar bath. Consequently, butterscotch, candy canes, ribbon candy, and all of those other holiday favorites can also break or chip a tooth. If you want to steer clear of the dental chair, avoid hard candy.

Energy, Sports and Soft Drinks

You probably are doing your waistline a favor by opting for a non alcoholic soft, sports or energy drink, but when you consider the price your teeth pays for your so called good behavior, you’d be best to stick with plain water. Firstly, carbonated drinks attack the enamel on your teeth. Secondly, the sugar in all drinks promotes tooth decay creating problems.

Sticky Foods are Really Bad for Dental Health

Your favorite dried fruit platter that you always enjoy over the holidays is bad for teeth. As a result dried figs, apricots, cranberries, dates and mango’s will stick to your molars and in-between your teeth. Rinse after enjoying and be careful when eating as sticky fruits can also cause problems for dental restorations.

This holiday season pay attention to what goes in your mouth and don’t forget to schedule your annual dental checkup with Dr. Butler. Your Kerrville dentist is ready to give you and your teeth a clean bill of health in 2020.

Call for your annual comprehensive dental checkup today.