As you celebrate the holiday season, it’s hard to resist all the tasty treats that abound this time of year. With that in mind, it’s important you choose foods that help your oral health, not harm it. That’s why we’re sharing a list of a few of Santa’s naughty and nice holiday foods for your teeth:

Naughty List

  • Sticky sweets like candy canes

Who doesn’t love a candy cane in their hot chocolate? Unfortunately, this candy is terrible for your teeth. Hard candy like this exposes your teeth to more sugar over time. As a result, that sugar blends in with the bacteria in your mouth and increases your risk for cavities. Plus, its sticky consistency can cling to your tooth enamel and be difficult to brush away.  

  • Popcorn

Popcorn may taste good, but it’s easy to get kernels stuck in your teeth. Pieces of the kernel can also get lodged in your gum line and cause problems later down the road. In addition, biting down on a kernel can lead to a chipped or cracked tooth.

  • Alcohol

Alcohol like wine or champagne has acids that can damage your teeth. Plus, alcohol causes dry mouth which can also lead to oral health issues if the problem persists. If you can’t resist enjoying a drink or two, make sure you rinse out your mouth with water after. Also, drink plenty of water between drinks.

Nice List

  • Turkey or chicken

Lean proteins like turkey or chicken are excellent for your teeth. They both have phosphorus that, when combined with vitamin D and calcium, strengthens your tooth enamel. Plus, meat itself encourages saliva production since it takes a lot of chewing which washes away bacteria from your mouth. 

  • Vegetables

It shouldn’t be any surprise that vegetables are excellent for your teeth. Make sure you pile on the raw-cut vegetables from the appetizer tray or give yourself an extra serving of cooked carrots. Even mashed potatoes can be good for your teeth, just make sure to do a thorough brushing after.

  • Cheese

Cheese is excellent for your teeth. Not only does it contain calcium that strengthens your teeth and bones, but it also creates more saliva in your mouth. So, feel free to take any cheese off snack trays. Even macaroni and cheese is an excellent side to enjoy! 

We hope this makes it easy for you to choose healthy but tasty holiday foods for your teeth. Wondering how this time of year has impacted your smile? Call Elizabeth Kilpatrick-Fox, DMD today at 856-997-2767 or fill out our online form to schedule a dental checkup.