Updated: December 12, 2017
Holiday Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth
We all know that too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing, especially when we’re non-stop noshing on those tasty confectionery treats of the Holiday season.
In addition to expanding our waistlines, there are a bunch of Holiday foods are bad for our teeth.
Is it the weather (in certain locales), is it human nature, or is it simply just a good time of year to get together with family, friends, and the ones we love to relax our dietary diligence and indulge in some less than healthy treats?
If we manage to adhere – at least most of the time – to the “everything in moderation” axiom…especially moderation…we can all take comfort in the fact that we can treat our taste buds to the too easy to ignore treats while at the same time preventing the cavity creeps and Gingerbread Man (or Woman) from launching a total tooth takeover during the Holiday season.
Eat Smarter For Healthier Teeth This Holiday Season
We still should enjoy all of these tasty toothy treats during our Holiday feasts, but maybe just remember to slosh with some water or maybe cut the cookie intake off at a few dozen…just to prevent the aforementioned cavity creep entrenchment.
Take a look at this list of Holiday foods that are bad for our teeth, courtesy of the “Good Health Starts Here” blog by Delta Dental.
5 Common Holiday Foods That Are Bad for Teeth
1. Candy Canes:
Candy canes are hard & sticky, this makes them one of the worst Holiday foods for your teeth. The other problem with eating candy canes is the prolonged period of time that they linger in your mouth.
Not to mention, the temptation to chomp on them, which can lead to cracks or chips in your teeth.
Consume your candy canes in moderation this Holiday season to limit their negative impact on your smile.
2. Christmas Cookies:
It’s tempting to overindulge when there’s an abundance of baked goods, and cookies are no exception.
Cookies are laden with sugar and can do significant damage to your pearly whites. We know first-hand that skipping cookies entirely may be a challenge, we scarf ’em down by the dozen over here.
Just enjoy your Christmas cookies in moderation to prevent the cavity creeps.
3. Holiday Drinks:
Holiday beverages such as eggnog, apple cider and hot chocolate can be bad for your teeth…if not consumed in moderation.
Festive beverages offer more than warm, holiday cheer.
Eggnog boasts over 20 grams of sugar per cup, while hot cider can pack over 65 grams of sugar when dolled up with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Stick to one small serving of your favorite drink, and wash away some of the sticky sugar residue with a glass of water to ensure that you’re not over-imbibing in these common Holiday treats that are bad for your teeth.
4. Caramels:
Chewy, sticky treats, such as grandma’s famous homemade caramels are particularly damaging because they are high in sugar and spend a prolonged amount of time stuck to teeth.
The same attributes apply to all of those sparkly gumdrops on your gingerbread house, point-blank, they’re some of the worst Holiday foods that are super-bad for your teeth.
5. Fruitcake:
Even though it’s the butt of many holiday jokes, some people actually eat the fruitcake that gets passed around at holiday parties.
But, fruitcake is our last Holiday food that is bad for your teeth. Fruitcake is bad for your teeth primarily because of the sugary cake base and the chewy, candied fruit throughout.
What Is It About Holiday Foods That Make Them SO Bad for Your Teeth?
Cookies, candy, and sweet holiday beverages all have at least one main ingredient in common: sugar.
Why is sugar so bad for your teeth – and a breeding ground for the cavity creeps?
Sugar mixes with bacteria in the sticky plaque that constantly forms on our teeth to produce acid that attacks tooth enamel.
The stickiness of that plaque holds harmful acids against the teeth, which contributes to tooth decay.
We can do our oral health (and overall health) some service during this Holiday season of overindulgence by taking it easy on the sugary treats and maintaining the health of our teeth while still enjoying every confectionery concoction this special season has to offer…in moderation that is.
Having said all that, what is your favorite Holiday treat – good or bad for our teeth?
