5 Holiday Treats to Avoid to Stay on Your Dentist’s Nice List

Let’s be honest… the holidays just wouldn’t be the same without festive foods and drinks! Whether you love peppermint hot chocolate or gooey pecan pie, don’t worry – you can enjoy everything in moderation. With that said, there are some seasonal staples that can dramatically increase your chances of developing tooth decay. To prevent that from happening to you, here are five holiday treats you should avoid (or at least exercise caution with!).

1. Candy Canes

Candy canes are a classic holiday treat, but they also spell disaster for your oral health. After all, if you suck on them for too long, you continuously expose your teeth to sugar, increasing your chances of developing a cavity in the process. Conversely, if you bite into one too soon, you can crack a tooth! So, it’s best to avoid them altogether.

2. Eggnog

Did you know that a single cup of eggnog can contain upwards of 40 grams of sugar? That’s 9-10 teaspoons – no wonder your dentist doesn’t want it to be a daily indulgence! To prevent tooth decay, dry mouth, bad breath, and all of the other consequences of consuming sugar in excess, we recommend finding a sugar-free alternative instead.

3. Cranberry Sauce

Since cranberries are the primary ingredient, you might think that this Thanksgiving staple is healthy. Unfortunately, that’s usually not the case because of how much sugar it contains. Plus, the dark pigment can leave behind stubborn stains, making your teeth look more yellow than white.

4. Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn always poses a bit of a risk because biting down on an unpopped kernel can leave you with a seriously cracked or fractured tooth. Once you add caramel, cinnamon sugar, and other toppings, this snack can increase your chances of developing a cavity or two over the holiday season as well!

5. Dried Fruit

Compared to baked apple tarts and creamy pumpkin pie, dried fruit is healthy. However, it’s still important that you don’t over-indulge, especially since it contains sugar and the sticky consistency can leave behind food particles that are difficult to remove.

About the Doctor

Dr. Alex R. Goodman’s studies began at Samford University, which is where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. From there, he obtained his dental doctorate at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and became a licensed dentist! Over 10 years later, he is just as passionate about helping his friends and neighbors smile. If you have any questions for him about your oral health or you’d like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit his website or call (931) 388-4315.