4 Holiday Foods That Are Bad For Your Teeth

During the Holiday Season we’re all more than a little bit more inclined to nosh on some less than healthy foods, and it makes sense that some of those foods that are bad for your teeth – and give you bad breath.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Festivus, eating & drinking a little more than normal is just part of the season.

It’s just the effects all of that eggnog, hamentashen, sweet potato pie – or any other sweet holiday treat we indulge in a little too much this time of year – has on our breath & oral health.

But while we can all enjoy the over-indulgence that comes along with the Holidays, you can also take some precautions to prevent from having to habitually mask your dragon breath, and visit the dentist more in the coming year.

Take a look at some of the most popular holiday foods we tend to consume too much of this time of year…much to the detriment of your dental health, and quite possibly to those in close enough proximity to smell your bad breath.

Somerset NJ Dentist Shares Holiday Foods That Are Bad for Your Teeth & Breath

We can thank TheraBreath for this list of potentially offensive holiday foods.

As the seasonal treats stack up they can start to take a toll on the health of your teeth and gums, and your breath.

And with all of the close contact hugging & kissing that takes place with friends and loved ones, you should be concerned with eating foods that give you bad breath.

In those close quarters, one of the last things anyone wants is bad breath. So, take a look at these foods that give you bad breath:

4 Holiday Foods That The Cavity Creeps Love

1. Eggnog

As tasty as this confectionery concoction is, eggnog is does a doozy for your teeth and breath.

Eggnog is loaded with sugar and fat – a recipe that yields 6 cups calls for a 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 pint of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.

That sugar clings to your teeth for hours after consumption, working to wear away the enamel on your teeth.

To worsen things, bourbon, rum or brandy (common liquors added to eggnog) may induce dry mouth later on in the night.

Without enough saliva, the mouth becomes vulnerable for bacteria growth that can create raunchy breath and tooth decay.

To have your eggnog and drink it too, rinse your mouth with water afterward or better yet, after each sip.

2. Candy Canes

Candy canes are pure sugar – the two main ingredients are sugar and corn syrup.

As you know from the eggnog, sugar wreaks havoc on teeth and is the one of the leading causes of tooth decay.

However, besides these ingredients, a big reason why dentists advise limiting this treat is the prolonged time it spends on your pearly whites.

Hard candies take longer to eat, which drenches your mouth in sugar for hours.

If Santa drops these treats in your stocking this year, he should also consider pairing them with some toothpaste and teeth whitening kits…and some mouthwash.

3. Potato Latkes

A staple in the Jewish tradition for Hanukkah, potato latkes are shallow-fried pancakes made of grated potato, flour and egg.

While the potato pancake itself is not too threatening, many people dip it in side dishes like table sugar. Instead, make a point to eat them with sugar-reduced apple sauce or on their own.

4. Caramel Popcorn

Caramel in all shapes and forms make dentists wary. Worse than hard candy, this sticky substance clings to dental enamel long after being eaten.

When it’s drizzled on popcorn, gooey-covered pieces tend to get lodged between teeth. No wonder you’re picking at your molars. A good rule to stand by: Sugar should stay in the mouth as briefly as possible.

In other words, leave the caramel popcorn on the shelf when you’re watching Christmas movies on repeat.

While no one’s saying you must abstain from these tasty holiday treats completely, just make sure to eat them in moderation.

We can hear you now…“Yeah, sure!”

How did that everything in moderation mantra deal work out for you this past Thanksgiving?

The best thing you can do for your smile this season is avoid grazing on foods over long periods of time.

When you snack on munchies, food particles linger on your teeth and gums, which can cause irritation. It’s also helpful to rinse down treats with water to give your chompers a fighting chance against the cavity creeps.

Happy Holidays from Your Somerset NJ Dentist!

Somerset NJ Dentist: Joseph Haddad, D.D.S.

We proudly provide modern family & cosmetic dentistry to the community of Somerset, NJ. 08873 in addition to the surrounding Franklin Township areas of Bound Brook, Hillsborough Township, Readington Township, and Bridgewater.

We offer the most advanced technology in a comfortable, inviting, comfortable environment.

To schedule a consultation just call us at (732) 545-8111 & find our 08873 dentist office on Google.

If you have any questions about caring for your oral health, or any other happenings at our Franklin Township dentist office just give us a call today at (732) 545-8111.