Halloween has come and gone, but Thanksgiving, Hanukah, and Christmas are right around the corner. With holiday parties filled with holiday goodies filling up everyone’s calendar, it is important that you do not neglect your teeth during this holiday season.
Many people worry about gaining 5 – 10 pounds from now until the end of the year, but they typically do not think of what all those extra desserts and sweets do to their teeth. While it is important to watch what you eat to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, it is also just as important to watch what you eat to maintain a healthy smile.
There are millions of bacteria inside your mouth at any given time. While that may make you a bit nauseous, many of the oral bacteria are present to help keep your mouth clean. Oral bacteria have the job of breaking down particles left behind after you eat or drink anything other than water. These bacteria congregate and help “take care” of the particles until you can floss and brush at a later time. However, you must understand that these bacteria produce acids as they go to work. It is even more essential that you know that oral bacteria’s favorite thing to feast on is sugar.
Oral bacteria congregate around particles of sugar in vast quantities. As these bacteria congregate, they produce large amounts of acids that can quickly damage your teeth. When the acids inside your mouth are allowed to linger, or they are more readily present due to a diet that is high in sugar, the teeth are incredibly vulnerable to cavities, decay, and gum disease. Cavities are actually tiny holes in the tooth enamel that are directly caused by the overabundance of acids produced by oral bacteria.
At Peninsula Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we want you to enjoy your holidays with great merriment. We also want to encourage you not to neglect your teeth this holiday season. Limiting the number of sugary indulgences that you consume, flossing daily, and brushing at least twice a day will help you maintain a beautiful and healthy smile.
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