The holidays are packed with delightful delicacies that are often detrimental to your dental health. But don’t be concerned! It’s time to dig right into the Christmas festivities, and many of us are already thinking about the amazing holiday goodies that await us. It’s easy to get caught up in the food and celebrations of the season, but don’t forget to look after your teeth! We’ll give you some excellent ideas for teeth-friendly holiday goodies you can enjoy guilt-free, along with a few you should avoid or consume in moderation.
Enjoy Without Guilt
- Sweet Potatoes are a delicious Christmas delicacy that won’t harm your teeth because they’re naturally sweet and sugar-free. They’re also rich in vitamin C and A, which support gum health. If you’re cooking a sweet potato casserole, though, you’ll want to skip the marshmallows and brown sugar.
- Oatmeal Cookies are a tooth-friendly holiday delicacy. Oatmeal cookies contain significantly less sugar than many other alternatives. Also, many health-conscious ingredients opt for applesauce instead of sugar, which decreases the total sugar amount and makes the cookies moist for longer periods.
- Gingerbread Cookies are a surprisingly healthier alternative for your dental health than most because they require less sugar. For instance, if you make sugar cookies, you’ll need more than a cup of sugar! But Gingerbread cookies require only approximately half as much sugar. In addition, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and gingerbread has a high fiber content.
- Pumpkin Pie is high in fiber and vitamin A. It is also a teeth-friendly holiday treat. Pumpkin aids in the strengthening of dental enamel and the maintenance of healthy gums. In addition, pumpkin pie recipes rarely require much sugar. You only need to watch the amount of whipped cream you use on top.
- Cheese Reindeer. Now for the spicy delicacies. Cheese is a fantastic dental snack because it contains calcium, which helps enhance tooth enamel. Even more, it can be turned into an adorable reindeer. To create the face, cut cheese into a triangle, add black olives for eyeballs, pretzels for antlers, and a round bit of red pepper for Rudolph’s nose. Isn’t that adorable?
Best to Avoid
Candy canes are a perfect decor because they give a touch of fun and color to many decorations. They can, however, pose several issues for your bright, healthy teeth. First, when you eat them, you give the germs on your teeth sugar to feed on, making plaque develop and wear away on your enamel. Second, crunching on them might result in bits getting lodged in between your teeth.
Please, Chrismas Don’t Be Late
There you have it! Above are some delicious teeth-friendly holiday foods. With many meals and treats available during the holiday season, avoiding cavity-causing snacks and side meals may be pretty tricky. However, limiting how much you eat and drinking plenty of water afterward is a good suggestion—also, brushing twice a day and flossing once a day will help you maintain good dental health this season.
GVR Dental and Orthodontics offers excellent dental service to children and adult patients across Denver, Colorado. Contact us today to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Our experienced dental experts will be available to speak with you and discuss your dental options.