Delicious, sugary treats are everywhere this time of year. You walk into the office, and three people have brought Christmas cookies, fudge, and peppermint bark. Every holiday party you attend features a table loaded with delectable desserts. Your dentist in Camas, WA, wants you to enjoy the season without letting bacteria and cavities go wild in your mouth. So let’s talk about:
- How sugar causes cavities
- Simple ways to enjoy treats without guilt
- When to schedule your next cleaning
Why Sugar and Teeth Don’t Mix Well
The bacteria that live in your mouth thrive on sugar. It’s how they survive. When bacteria feed on sugar in your mouth, they produce acid that attacks your tooth enamel. Over time, this acid softens the enamel of your teeth and creates the tiny holes that we call cavities. The more often you eat sugar, the more opportunity bacteria have to cause damage.
Holiday snacking can speed up this process. Grazing on sweets throughout the day, because they are readily available around Christmas, keeps your mouth constantly acidic. Your saliva never gets a chance to neutralize the acid and protect your enamel.
Smart Ways to Protect Your Smile
Timing is essential when it comes to protecting your teeth. Try eating sweets with meals instead of snacking on them all day. Your mouth produces more saliva during meals, which helps wash away sugars and neutralize acids more quickly.
Drink some water after eating that rich Christmas fudge. A quick rinse removes sugar from your teeth before bacteria can feast. You should wait 30 minutes after eating something sweet to brush, though. Brushing too soon after acidic exposure can harm your softened enamel.
Consider choosing your indulgences wisely. Sticky candies cling to your teeth longer than chocolate, giving bacteria more time to do damage. When you do enjoy something sweet, savor it and move on rather than nibbling all afternoon and evening (as tempting as it may be).
Your Smile Deserves Year-Round Care
One of the best things you can do for your teeth, whether it’s the holiday season or not, is to schedule regular checkups so that your dentist can catch minor problems before they become big ones. The team at Camas Dentistry is skilled at spotting early tooth decay that you might not even feel yet. A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup that brushing alone doesn’t get.
Schedule your next cleaning with your dentist in Camas, WA, before the holiday rush makes it difficult to do so. Give us a call at (360) 828-5502 to book your appointment today. Enjoy your treats this holiday season, but give your teeth some thought, too.