Staying healthy during the holidays can be difficult. Between all of the sweet treats, delicious drinks, and holiday candy that seems to be everywhere, you’re bound to come in contact with some sugar this holiday season. Here are some tips to keep your teeth healthy during the holidays!
Skip the Hard Candy
Candy canes and peppermints are holiday staples. But this year, try an alternative! Hard candy can lead to cracked or chipped teeth. Not only that, but the sugar in these candies stays on your teeth and can cause tooth decay. The longer sugar is on your teeth, the more damage it does, so sucking on hard candies really does a number on your oral health.
Don’t Go Nuts
Leave cracking nuts to the nutcracker this December. Nuts often go hand-in-hand with the holidays. They are full of protein and great for you, but cracking nutshells with your teeth is dangerous. Don’t attempt to crack nutshells with your teeth or you could risk cracking them or causing some serious tooth or gum damage.
Chewy Candy & Caramels
The stickier the candy, the worse for your teeth. Candies like caramel that stick to your teeth expose your teeth to sugars and can cause them to be more susceptible to tooth decay. This year, try something other than taffies and caramels. If you must indulge yourself, try to at least limit the amount you eat, and brush & floss directly after eating them! You aren’t asking Santa for cavities, after all!
New Year, New You
Thinking of ways to improve yourself next year? Make your new year’s resolution this year to break that nail-biting habit! Nail biting is bad for your teeth and your fingernails alike. It can cause jaw problems, sensitive teeth, and even chipped teeth! Make a conscious effort to break that habit this year!