A Dentist’s Guide to Protecting Your Teeth During the Holiday Season
By: Geoffrey R. Morris, DMD, MS
Special to the Boca and Delray Newspaper
We recently ushered in the fall season and winter is not far behind.
As the seasons change, so do our diets. Our food choices often shift from smoky grilled meats and frosty-cold healthy smoothies to include mini Halloween Snickers bars and mom’s holiday cookies. Although this year’s holiday season may not resemble those of years past, rest assured candy corn, fresh pumpkin pie, peppermint bark, and Chanukah gelt will still be consumed in many homes.
Due to the current economic and social shifts related to the pandemic, many individuals are postponing routine visits to their dentists, despite the reassurance of the experts at the American Dental Association. As a result, we will most likely see an influx of preventable dental and medical issues in the upcoming months and possibly years.
But you can have your candy and eat it too by avoiding the two most notorious types of candy in the eyes of the dentist: tough, sticky candy like caramels and taffies and hard sucking candies. Sticky candy pulls out fillings and crowns. Hard candy, when chewed, can chip your tooth, not to mention sucking on sugar for long periods of time is a recipe for disaster. Trust me, this is the year to steer clear of Tootsie Rolls and Jaw Breakers, particularly if you are trying to avoid the dentist’s chair.
That doesn’t necessarily mean giving up all candy. On a positive note, some studies out of England, US and Japan suggest the polyphenols in dark chocolate may be effective at preventing cavities and slowing down plaque buildup. For chocoholics, dark chocolates, like those in the Hershey’s Miniatures, should be your go-to. If chocolate isn’t your thing, try to select candies with Xylitol instead of sugar. Xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes cavities, reduces gum inflammation, decreases plaque buildup, and can help remineralize teeth. Most chewing gum and gummy bear brands have already switched to xylitol, so it’s not as uncommon as you think.
Another way to indulge your sweet tooth responsibly is to choose a treat that contains nuts or fresh fruits. The physical action of chewing on these ingredients can breakdown the biofilm on teeth.
While my inner dental voice is whispering, “Avoid candy and desserts,” my practical advice is to mindfully indulge your sweet tooth within moderation and enjoy yourself during the holiday season. Whatever choice you make, brush and floss (or at least rinse with water) right after eating. Then schedule a visit to your dentist as part of your 2021 New Year’s resolutions.
Geoffrey R. Morris, DMD, MS is a cosmetic and restorative dentist in Boca Raton who blends art and dentistry to design one-of-a-kind smiles through bonding, implants, ceramic crowns, Invisalign, and porcelain veneers. For more information, please call 561.621.3086 or visit https://dfaesthetics.com/
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October 06, 2020 at 09:30PM
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How to have your candy and eat it too - Delray Newspaper
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