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‘Tis the season to indulge in holiday cookies! For many of us, the cookies we bake, or buy, are part of our family traditions. But whether it’s crumbly Polvorones, peppery Papparkakor, lemony Krumkake, Rugelach, Pfeffernuessen, Stroopwafels, Linzer tarts, or Pizzelle … sweets aren’t great for your dental health.
Should that stop you from baking this year? Absolutely not! Indulge – the winter holidays only happen once a year. Holiday treats typically aren’t healthy foods, but some are less likely to damage your smile than others. And, with good dental hygiene, you can even eat your favorite traditional treats while keeping your smile happy and healthy.
Healthy Holiday Treats
Look for Cookies With:
Healthy Ingredients – Peanut or almond butter, pumpkin, oatmeal, and nut flours are nutrient-dense ingredients that contain essential vitamins and minerals, dietary fiber, and other naturally occurring substances that have positive health effects for oral and overall health. Reduced Sugar – Look for cookies with reduced or no added sugars. Alternative sweeteners such as fruit juice, honey, apple sauce, monk fruit, or maple syrup aren’t necessarily a healthier choice for most people. Less sugar is always a better choice, plus cookies don’t need to be overly sweet to taste delicious! Spicy Flavors – Gingerbread, for example, can be a great way to have a treat without risking dental damage. That’s because cookies that rely on spices for flavor tend to be less sugary and sweet.
Be Careful with Cookies Like This:
Crunchy Cookies – Biscotti, and other hard cookies, can crack or break your teeth. But these cookies can also be lower in sugar, so if you know your teeth are fragile, you could break them into small pieces and then dip them into milk, coffee, or tea to soften them. Sticky Cookies – We’re talking about those cookies made out of dried fruit, like dates, that cling to your teeth. Sticky sweets extend the time your teeth are exposed to sugar, which isn’t great for your smile.
Gooey Treats – Think cookies that are dense, like fudge or caramel. These have the same effect as sticky cookies and can also damage braces, crowns, and other restorative dental work.
Why is Sugar so Bad for Teeth?
Sugar, and other simple carbohydrates, are the decay-causing bacteria in your mouth. Bacteria metabolize sugars from your diet and then release acids as byproducts. The acids, in turn, begin eating away at your tooth enamel—the hard outer covering of your teeth. Soon, a small hole (cavity) begins forming in the tooth’s outer layers. If left untreated, the decay can continue eating away at the tooth structure, and the bacteria can reach deeper inside the tooth. This can eventually make it necessary for you to have root canal treatment—or even to have the tooth extracted (removed). But you can stop tooth decay in its tracks.
Keep Your Smile Healthy
Regular professional dental care and a consistent at-home dental routine reduce the chances of dental decay and disease. Brushing at least twice a day for two minutes at a time is a must to prevent tooth decay and gum disease and keep your teeth healthy despite the yummy treats! Use a soft or medium-bristled brush that you replace every three to four months. Your toothpaste can be any flavor you prefer, just make sure it has the ADA Seal of Acceptance somewhere on the tube. The ADA requires toothpaste to contain fluoride to fight tooth decay and cavities.
Dentists typically advise adults to hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, gently moving it back and forth. Little kids and adults with mobility challenges may find it easier to brush in circular motions. Either way is fine, just take the time needed to do the job right. And don’t forget to brush your tongue to rid it of bacteria, and floss at least once a day.
Most of us brush our teeth regularly, but many don’t floss daily. Yet both brushing and flossing are essential to maintain good oral health. We may not be able to eliminate plaque bacteria completely—but we can control them by flossing and brushing.
Getting regular dental checkups and professional cleanings is also a big contributor to good oral health—so don’t skip the routine office visit. Be sure to stay hydrated too: Your body needs plenty of water to keep up a healthy flow of saliva, which can help neutralize acids and protect against tooth decay.
Affordable Dental Care
If you’ve been avoiding the dentist due to budget, a dental savings plan – an affordable alternative to dental insurance – can help save plan members 10-60% on most dental procedures, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care, as well as braces. If you’d like to learn more about how dental savings plans work, you can reach us at 1-833-735-0399.