5 Tips for Healthy Smiles During the Holiday Season
The holidays bring plenty of reasons to smile: gatherings, gratitude and of course, all the sweet treats that come with the season. From Halloween candy to holiday cookies, desserts are part of the joy, but they can also be tough on our teeth.
To help families enjoy the season while keeping smiles healthy, we asked Dr. Jakob Holtzmann of the UW Center for Pediatric Dentistry for his top tips to protect teeth from too much sugar and acid this time of year.
Tip 1: Enjoy treats with meals
Instead of snacking on sweets throughout the day, try saving them for dessert after a meal. Why? It’s chemistry.
All food temporarily makes our mouths more acidic, which increases the risk of cavities. When we stop eating, saliva helps restore balance and protect our enamel. “[Saliva] actually helps replace calcium and phosphate ions that were lost during our food-induced acid attack,” explains Dr. Holtzmann. Consolidating sweets with mealtime limits the amount of time our teeth are in this vulnerable state.
Tip 2: Stay hydrated with water
Drinking water during or after enjoying sweets helps rinse away sticky sugars and food particles that cling to teeth. Fluoridated water provides an extra layer of protection by helping strengthen tooth enamel. “It presents a protective factor because fluoride-reinforced tooth structure is more resistant to future food-induced acid attack,” says Dr. Holtzmann.
Tip 3: Choose treats wisely
Some sweets are trickier for teeth than others. “The worst candies for our teeth are probably those really sticky candies, sour candies and hard candies,” says Dr. Holtzmann. Sticky treats tend to linger on teeth, sour candies are acidic, and hard candies can even cause chips or cracks.
Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is a better choice because it melts away quickly and generally contains less sugar than milk chocolate. Look for treats made with xylitol, a sugar substitute that can actually help prevent cavities. Chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol after meals can also help neutralize acids and keep teeth clean.
Tip 4: Keep up the clean routine
After indulging in sweets, give your mouth a good cleaning. “The most important thing is making sure all the sugary food is cleared from the tops, sides, and between the teeth,” says Dr. Holtzmann. Brush and floss before bed and only drink water afterward to keep your smile bright all season long.
Tip 5: Schedule regular checkups
Routine dental visits help prevent problems before they start. Children who visit the dentist regularly tend to have fewer cavities and healthier smiles throughout life. “When you’re seeing a dentist frequently, we can catch things early, and when we catch things early, we have a lot more options,” says Dr. Holtzmann.
Keep the season sweet and healthy
With a little planning, your family can enjoy every festive bite while keeping those smiles strong and cavity free.
Want more oral health tips? Follow the UW School of Dentistry on Instagram and Facebook for monthly “bite-sized” tips.
Dr. Jakob Holtzmann is an acting assistant professor in pediatric dentistry at the UW School of Dentistry and practices at the UW Center for Pediatric Dentistry and Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry in Kenmore, WA.