Have you ever thought about what holiday celebrations are doing to your teeth? Those concerned about staining are likely to avoid coffee and red wine, but there are apparently more dangers for your smile in celebrations.
Holiday celebrations often include sugar-filled indulgences such as desserts, candy, punch, and alcoholic drinks. Foods with sugar and starch (pies, cookies, pastries, cake) can be especially hard on your smile. Together they energize s. mutans, a powerful bacteria that resides in your mouth, which will create a “superplaque” that is more acidic, stickier, and holds on harder than regular plaque build up from sweets alone. Sodas and carbonated beverages that may be added to punch concoctions include acids that can damage the enamel of your teeth.
Celebrations often last past your normal bedtime, creating a longer time of tooth exposure before you brush your teeth. If you are over-tired, you are likely to only give your teeth a rudimentary brushing or skip brushing entirely “just this once” allowing bacteria to damage your smile all night long.
With New Years tonight, you may be tempted to indulge before starting your new diet. Consider cranberry juice which can cut the acid protection of some bacteria, and don’t forget to brush your teeth!