The months of November and December are some of the sweetest of the year — literally. With the surge of candy canes, peppermints, and sweet mocha drinks, more sugar is consumed around the holiday season than at any other time. That means you and your family need to be a little more vigilant about your oral health and hygiene during these months! Otherwise, you might be ringing in the new year with a brand new cavity — or worse.
Know Where Sugar Is Lurking
One of the most important things to realize about your oral hygiene at this time of year is that sugar is hiding everywhere. Starting with those treats your child brings home from school all the way to your favorite caffeinated holiday beverage at the drive through, there are opportunities for the decay-causing substance to enter your smile at practically every moment.
Here are some surprising estimates of the sugar contents of some of America’s favorite holiday treats:
- Candy Cane: 10 grams of sugar
- Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino: 62 grams of sugar
- Small Frosted Sugar Cookie: 16 grams of sugar
- Apple Cider: 24 grams of sugar
For reference, the average recommended added sugar consumption per day for a man is 37 grams and for women 25 grams. That means you could potentially surpass your daily allotment for sugar by just eating a couple candy canes — or you could skyrocket over it by indulging in a hot holiday beverage.
How to Protect Your Holiday Smile
It would be difficult to avoid sugar altogether this time of year. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help keep your smile healthy and clean throughout November and December.
- Rinse your mouth out with water after consuming something especially sugary, like candy canes or sweet candy.
- Consume sugary beverages through a straw to reduce the amount of sweet liquid that comes into contact with your tooth enamel.
- Toss a toothbrush into your bag in the morning and make a habit of brushing your teeth in the middle of the day, too.
- Be extra vigilant about your brushing and flossing habits, making sure to remove all plaque and food particles at night before you go to sleep.
- Book a visit with your dentist to start the New Year off right — with a clean smile!
To sum up, cookies, cakes, and candies can be hard on your healthy smile in November and December. But, they don’t have to be. Follow these steps and enjoy your sweet holiday responsibly!
Meet the Practice
Dental & Cosmetic Solutions is Pepper Pike’s source of high-quality, family-friendly dental services. This time of year, they recommend that their patients take extra care of their smiles and book a checkup and cleaning after the rush of the holidays. To do just that, do not hesitate to get in touch with the “dentist near me” you are searching for by calling (216) 292-3600.