Four Tips To Help Keep Your Teeth Cavity-Free This Holiday Season

During the holiday season, many people indulge in food or drinks that we don't normally eat. And then they get out of their routines and lazily and quickly brush their teeth before bed or forget to floss. All of this combined can lead to cavities developing in your teeth. Here are a few tips that you should follow if you want to start your new year off without any nasty holiday teeth surprises. 

Avoid Gummy Candy

One of the worst foods you can eat this holiday season is gummy candy. While you may reach for spice drops when decorating a gingerbread house or cinnamon bears at a holiday party, you should always opt out of these treats. Gummy candy sticks to your teeth and is hard to remove, making your teeth susceptible to cavities. 

Stick to Sugar-Free Treats

Indulging in a rich, sweet treat every now and then is perfectly all right. But during the holidays, people often indulge in far too many sweets. This includes cakes, pies, cookies and candies. When you are out to eat, at a holiday party or are baking yourself, make a decision to eat sugar-free treats instead of regular sugar-based ones. Not only will your teeth thank you, but your waistline will as well. 

Drink a Glass of Water Between Other Drinks

Another way to help keep your teeth cavity-free this holiday season is to drink a glass of water after every sugary drink. After you drink a soda, alcoholic beverage or sugary coffee drink, wash it down with a nice glass of water. This helps to remove the sugar from your teeth, which can prevent cavities, while also helping to prevent staining. It's a win-win. 

Chew a Stick of Gum After Meals

In a perfect world, you could take the time to brush your teeth after every meal. But during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you may be eating on the go more than ever. If you can't brush your teeth right away, chew on a stick of sugar-free gum. This helps to increase saliva in the mouth, which helps to prevent cavities. Plus, it helps to keep your breath from becoming funky. 

Despite your best efforts, you cannot prevent all cavities from forming. If you begin to experience increased sensitivity in a tooth, experience pain or can feel a small hole when you run your tongue along the tooth, you may have a cavity. Schedule an appointment with a dentist, such as at Cornerstone Dental, as quickly as possible to keep the cavity from worsening or becoming infected. 


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