{"id":476,"date":"2022-12-20T10:59:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-20T10:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ddsdc.com\/blog\/?p=476"},"modified":"2023-01-06T22:59:57","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T22:59:57","slug":"are-the-holidays-bad-for-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ddsdc.com\/blog\/2022\/12\/20\/are-the-holidays-bad-for-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Holiday Season the Worst Time for Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you\u2019re familiar with the holiday season, you know that many call it the most wonderful time of the year. After all, it includes gift-giving, parties, family reunions, and more! Even so, however, end-of-year holidays aren\u2019t so great for oral health<\/a>. In fact, they can seriously damage your teeth and gums in some cases. Fortunately, your Washington dentist is here to keep that from happening. Read on to learn why the holiday season is bad for teeth and how to protect your smile from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Holidays Tend to Be Bad for Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, holidays\u2019 unique features can encourage bad oral habits \u2014 ones that result in tooth decay, cavities, and worse. The most common and risky of these practices include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eating Lots of Sweets & Treats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Desserts and sweets are the mainstays of the December holidays. You have candy canes, peppermints, gingerbread cookies, and countless other treats. Unfortunately, eating lots of such items harms your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You see, foods like those above are loaded with sugar, a carb that causes tooth decay. In particular, it attracts harmful bacteria that erode enamel and create cavities. Too many holiday sweets, then, will literally wear down your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel Changes to Your Routine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Like most people, there\u2019s a good chance you do some traveling for the holidays. However, this activity is often harsh on consistent oral care. By disrupting everyday routines, it often makes people forget to clean their smiles daily. It can thus lead to poorer teeth over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given these truths, remember to pack a toothbrush, floss, and mini-mouthwash for your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequent, All-Day Eating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since holidays let you catch up with loved ones, they usually involve large meals and snacks. That\u2019s only natural, as food lets you bond with others. However, constant eating won\u2019t do your smile much good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if the food eaten isn\u2019t sugary, all-day snacking lowers your saliva levels. From there, bacteria will be able to grow on your teeth and wear away your enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Protect Your Smile During Holidays<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, there are ways to protect your smile from holiday habits. For instance, consider the following tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n