When the holiday season approaches, part of the festivities includes indulging in an array of baked goods, sweet beverages, and candies. While these treats can be tempting, the sugar content can increase your child’s susceptibility to tooth decay and gum disease. Instead of avoiding the fun altogether, Dr. David Boone and our team at Eastern Dental offer our parents recommendations on how to effectively protect their child’s teeth against the harmful bacteria left behind after enjoying holiday sweets.
Tips to Avoid Decay
Many people enjoy the holiday season primarily for the food and drink. Candy canes, hot cocoa, cookies, and even eggnog contain a significant amount of processed sugar. These snacks tend to be enjoyed sporadically throughout the day, creating the opportunity for bacteria to manifest.
Our dentist instructs parents and children to take a moderate approach when enjoying holiday treats. By drinking water directly after enjoying a sugary snack, you prevent bacteria from developing into decay or gum disease.
Whenever possible, try to find a sugar-free alternative to your holiday favorites. When your child wants a hard candy, limit the time it stays in your child’s mouth to ten minutes. Also, avoid particularly sticky candy and foods, as they can lodge in between teeth, making it difficult to remove even with thorough brushing and flossing.
One tip dentists recommend regarding candy and treats during holidays is to avoid grazing on them throughout the day. By intermittently snacking, the bacteria remain on your teeth until the next brushing or rinsing opportunity. The acidic nature of these treats affects your teeth and gums, making it necessary to clean your teeth soon after eating.
Consistent Brushing and Flossing for Optimal Care
The holiday season often comes with a few extra days off from responsibility, which creates an excellent opportunity for parents to re-establish a consistent and comprehensive at-home oral care routine for their children. By developing better care techniques, your kids can enjoy their favorite food and drink during this festive time of year without the worry of an extensive treatment plan at their next visit to the dentist.
Contact Us in Grand Rapids Today!
Dr. David Boone provides children and their parents with educational tools to prevent holiday treats from wreaking havoc on their dental health. If you are looking for a dentist who takes a conservative approach to care to keep dentistry affordable, call us at Eastern Dental in Grand Rapids today to schedule an appointment.