Candy, cookies, and hot cocoa, oh my! There’s so much to snack on over the holidays, and don’t forget about special drinks to warm you from head to toe.
As the weather turns chilly and family and friends gather to celebrate, it’s easy to get caught up in the sweeter side of the holiday season. But overindulging is not great for your body–and not just your waistline! Gingerbread cookies, caramels, and hot chocolate can be trouble for your teeth, too.
The good news is that some treats aren’t quite as naughty as others, and some are downright nice. Read on to learn the best holiday foods for your teeth so that you can still enjoy some seasonal favorites.
The Naughty List: Holiday Foods to Avoid
You have loads of choices this holiday season, and that means plenty of opportunities to avoid certain foods and drinks. While you don’t have to completely cut these out of your holiday menu, it’s best to limit yourself.
At the Dinner Table
Sitting down to a nice meal is one of the many holiday perks. There’s something welcoming and wonderful about a table full of comfort foods that you only get this time of year. However, if you want to make good choices for your teeth, you may want to pass on these:
- Cranberry sauce contains so much sugar that it negates the beneficial effects of the cranberries.
- Stuffing and dressing might be a staple for many holiday meals, but it’s also a starchy nightmare for your teeth. The starches feed cavity-causing bacteria, and these foods tend to be sticky, meaning they cling to your teeth.
Don’t forget to consider how you prepare food. For example, roasting veggies in the oven can increase the acidity, so opt for steaming that side dish instead!
The Worst Holiday Sweets for Teeth
Sweets and the holidays seem to go hand in hand. Sugar cookie cut-outs, candy canes, and caramels serve as decorations on trees, tables, and even gifts.
- Caramel is sticky and sugary, making it one of the worst foods you can have this holiday season. From drinks to candies to toppings on other food, caramel gets stuck on and around teeth where it feeds that cavity-causing bacteria.
- Candy canes are another tough choice because they are all sugar and artificial flavorings. They can also be hard enough to crack or chip teeth.
Naughty Drinks
Drinks can cause just as much damage to our teeth, and many have high calorie counts that hurt your waistline as well. Like anything else, these drinks can be nice for a toast or one after-meal drink, but downing cup after cup may not be the best choice.
- Eggnog is loaded with sugar to make it taste good. If you add alcohol, then that’s more sugar, which can lead to dry mouth.
- Wine is a contentious drink because small amounts of red wine can kill bacteria, but it can also stain your teeth. White wine is more acidic and can actually stain your teeth as well.
- Hot cocoa is a staple for cold weather, but it’s also loaded with sugar. Plus, like other hot drinks, it can be miserable for sensitive teeth.
If you’re worried about your teeth as we head into the holiday season, it might be a good idea to see your dentist for a check-up. Your dentist can identify any problem areas, if there are any, and put your mind at ease.
The Nice List: Healthy Holiday Foods
Not all holiday foods are bad news. Here are some healthy holiday snacks and dishes to make your meals complete.
- Nuts make an excellent snack while waiting for the main meal. They have lots of vitamins and minerals that are good for your teeth. Just leave those hard outer shells to the nutcrackers.
- Sweet potatoes pack a lot of nutrition and flavor. They make an excellent side and add a pop of color to any table.
- Brussels sprouts, collard greens, and kale also have loads of vitamins and minerals, plus a lower calorie count that makes them kind to your waistline.
- Turkey is a lean meat that packs some powerful vitamins and minerals.
- Gingerbread cookies, as long as they aren’t loaded with frosting, can be a nice holiday treat. Plus, the blend of flavors taste amazing without excess sugars.
Fun and Healthy Holiday Snacks
Are you looking for a festive way to spice up your holiday meal? Try some of the tasty and healthy treats on our nice list.
Snowmen….er…SnowEggs
Who knew that hard-boiled eggs could make such adorable appetizers? Stack two hard-boiled eggs to make the snowman and adorn them with carrots for top hats and noses. Parsley makes adorable arms and peppercorns work well for eyes and buttons.
Rudolph’s Reindeer Bites
Cut your favorite cheese into triangles or wedges for the reindeer face. Attach pretzels for antlers, peppercorns or black olives bits for eyes, and a bit of red pepper for that shiny nose.
How Can I Keep My Teeth Healthy Through the Holidays?
It’s not practical, or particularly festive, to avoid all of the fun treats over the holidays. You can certainly indulge a little bit this year, but you might want to use some of these tips to keep your mouth healthy and happy through the holidays.
- Brush and floss daily.
- Carry sugarless gum to chew after eating at a holiday party to help wash away debris until you get home to brush.
- Drink water after eating to help wash away food particles and bacteria.
- Use fun dental care products as stocking stuffers instead of candy!
Don’t forget to see your dentist for a check-up and professional teeth cleaning before the end of the year! Not only can you make sure your teeth are healthy, but you can also make the most of your benefits before they reset at the end of the year. Find the Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics office nearest you and schedule an appointment!
