Are the Holidays the Worst Time of Year for Your Teeth?

You might have heard that the holidays can be rough on your teeth. It’s become something of a routine for people to get dental cleanings in January for this very reason. But is it really true that the holidays are the worst time of year for your oral health? The answer depends on you. There are hazards this time of year, but how you deal with them is what matters. Here are a few foods you should be cautious of over the holidays.

Hard Candy

Candy canes are great seasonal treats, but they are unbelievably rough on your teeth. First of all, hard candy often causes chipped teeth when people bite down on them without thinking. Finally, the sugars in hard candy are a problem because they linger in the mouth for so long before they dissolve.

Leftovers

The day after Thanksgiving, it’s common to wind up with a fridge full of leftovers. Getting through all of it can be a little bit of a challenge. You might be tempted to graze throughout the day, just in the interest of eating it all as fast as possible. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best idea from an oral health perspective. If you’re eating continually, your saliva doesn’t have time to wash away what you’ve eaten, leading to faster bacterial and plaque accumulation. There’s no problem with appreciating your leftovers, but try to do so in one or two sittings.

Soda & Champagne

Nothing says “New Year’s Day” like sparkling wine at midnight, but bubbly drinks can be a little bit rough on your teeth. The fizz of champagne consists primarily of CO₂ bubbles, which your saliva converts into a mild acid. This acid can break down your enamel, causing tooth decay. It also doesn’t help that most bubbly drinks are naturally acidic AND full of sugar. If you can, try drinking a non-bubbly substitute when the ball drops this New Year’s.

Finally, the thing that matters most when it comes to your oral health is keeping up with dental hygiene. You might be traveling for the holidays; in that case, you should try and be prepared. Bring toothbrushes and floss with you when you travel, and use both daily. So long as you keep up that routine, any of these foods will be fine in moderation.

About the Author

Dr. Jeffrey F. Hermen has been serving the Oklahoma City area as a family dentist for over 30 years. As a child, he had a lot of problems with his teeth, so he’s intimately familiar with how it feels to sit in the patient’s chair. This experience inspires him to provide high-quality care while making his patients as comfortable as possible. Dr. Hermen earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at The OU College of Dentistry, and he continues his education to this very day. If you have any questions about protecting your teeth over the holidays, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (405) 621-2100.