3 Ways Your Oral Health Is at Risk During the Holidays

Christmas ginger cookies

For many people, the upcoming holidays is a time to splurge on guilty pleasures like binging their favourite series over the long weekends or letting go of their diet restrictions. Although there’s nothing wrong with indulging in rewards for a year’s worth of work, you should never go overboard. Splurging during the holiday season is a leading cause of oral complications like tooth decay and gum disease. These dangers can seem harmful at first but can ruin your mouth’s health midway through holiday celebrations or at the beginning of the new year.

Being mindful of what you eat during the holidays

Like any bone in your body, your teeth and gums can experience wear and tear over time. Overstressing your teeth with harmful substances can lead to dental complications, especially if you have particularly sensitive teeth. The holiday season is full of several treats and dishes that can bring damage to your oral health.

If you think you're safe for oral complications from holiday feasts, here are three ways your oral health will be at risk.

1. Hard candy can crack and chip your sensitive teeth

Although your teeth are technically bone structures, they can still break under immense pressure. This can happen even if you’re not biting on hard candy. Stale bread can be hard enough to chip or misalign your teeth. Additionally, if your teeth are already vulnerable due to poor oral hygiene, you can also be susceptible to food containing almonds, caramel-based candies, and even ice cubes. 

If you already have a cracked or chipped tooth after attending a holiday feast, it’s best to seek an emergency dentist immediately.

2. Sticky food can require extensive dental repairs

Sticky deserts are some of the most dangerous dishes for sensitive teeth. Peanut brittle, dried fruit, and caramel compounds can stick to the enamel between your teeth. This causes harmful bacteria to grow if you can’t eliminate them completely from brushing and flossing. 

Additionally, these sticky treats can loosen your fillings and compromise other dental implants like porcelain veneers. The few minutes of eating these sweet confections aren’t worth the price of expensive dental work after the holidays.

3. Sugar-rich food and beverages can progressively damage your enamel

Holiday dishes tend to contain plenty of food and drinks that can damage your teeth’s enamel. These are food items that can easily stain your teeth due to their high acidity. Drinking soda and eating sugary foods is generally a bad combination.

Your mouth contains good bacteria that promote good oral health. However, eating sugary foods causes these bacteria to transform sugar into harmful acids. These can stay on your teeth’s protective barrier of enamel, breaking down its white sheen. 

Over time, you’ll start seeing yellowing due to exposed dentin, which can further turn into holes through your tooth. In severe cases, you may need an extensive root canal or tooth extraction to prevent you from experiencing tooth pain.

 Conclusion 

A possible solution to prevent any buildup of damage from your holiday feasts is to brush and flush before and after your parties regularly. This prevents any plaque buildup and reduces your odds of developing gum diseases or cavities. These preventative dental care habits won’t be enough if you don’t consult with your dentist before or after the holidays. Going to your local dentist will ensure that you will have a professional diagnosis of your oral health.

If you need an emergency dentist in Calgary to check your oral health, our dental experts can give you an expert diagnosis. Besides a consultation, we provide dental solutions for severe toothache, jaw pain, gum diseases, and more. Book an appointment with us today, and we’ll make sure to treat you with the right care you need.

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