{"id":297,"date":"2019-11-30T17:09:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-30T17:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=297"},"modified":"2019-12-09T17:09:52","modified_gmt":"2019-12-09T17:09:52","slug":"eating-during-the-holidays-5-tips-for-keeping-your-smile-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/eating-during-the-holidays-5-tips-for-keeping-your-smile-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Eating During the Holidays: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Smile Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Holiday<\/a><\/figure><\/div>

In addition to\nspending quality time with your friends and family during the holidays, you\nmight also be looking forward to enjoying plenty of cookies, candies, and other\nsweet treats. But be careful; just because you’re in the middle of a\ncelebration doesn’t mean you can afford to forget about your oral health! Here\nare 5 tips from a dentist that will keep you smiling through the end of the\nseason. <\/p>

1. Know What to Watch Out For<\/h2>

First of all, it’s important to realize that some of the\ntreats served during the holidays are more harmful than others. Anything that\ncontains sugar should be enjoyed in moderation, of course, but you need to be\nextra cautious around hard candies and sticky foods like taffy. Because such\nsnacks tend to remain in your mouth longer, the sugar they contain remains in\ncontact with your teeth, which could easily lead to cavities and gum disease. While\nyou don’t necessarily have to avoid these treats altogether, it’s important to\nknow what to watch out for so that you can plan accordingly.<\/p>

2. Make Holiday Treats Part of Your Meals<\/h2>

Eating sugar throughout the day can wreak havoc on your\nsmile; you should time these snacks carefully. The best time for a holiday\ntreat is immediately after or during a meal. That way, there’s plenty of saliva\nin your mouth to help keep your pearly whites clean. <\/p>

3. Take Care of Your Teeth After Eating<\/h2>

Ideally, you should brush your teeth after a meal or snack.\nIf this isn’t always possible, try rinsing with mouthwash instead to remove food\nparticles and harmful bacteria. At the very least, you should always drink a\nglass of water after enjoying a holiday treat. <\/p>

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet<\/h2>

You can control the damage to your teeth during the holidays\nby making sure you’re also eating plenty of healthy foods such as:<\/p>