The Holidays are right around the corner, and with them come a slew of yummy holiday treats. Many of us enjoy indulging our sweet tooth this time of year. However, most people don’t stop to think about the damage that many of these sweet treats are causing to our teeth and gums. To help you keep your oral health in mind this holiday season, we have compiled a list of some common holiday treats that might be wreaking havoc on your oral health.
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Kettle Corn and Candied Popcorns
Candied popcorn products are typically extremely high in sugar and corn syrup. They also tend to be very sticky, causing them to hang on to your teeth and gums for an extended period of time, providing a habitat for the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
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Candy Canes
Candy canes are sticky and nearly all sugar and corn syrup. They are one of the worst offenders during the holiday season, yet remain a popular treat for both kids and adults. The gooey, sugary, mess they leave on your teeth and gums takes a long time to clear away.
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Peppermint Coffee
Many coffee shops offer special holiday flavorings. What many people don’t think about is the high corn syrup content in the syrups these vendors use. Consider skipping the holiday flavorings and enjoy an unsweetened cup of joe.
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Egg Nog
Egg Nog is loaded with sugar. What makes it even more detrimental, however, is the fact that it is often mixed with alcohol. This combination dries out your mouth, limits saliva production, and leaves a long-lasting sugary coating on your teeth and gums.
As an alternative to the foods listed above, consider eating one of these for your holiday treat when you’re craving something sweet:
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Chocolate
While chocolate has its share of sugar, good quality chocolates are often one of the best choices when it comes to a quality desert. Because chocolate tends to wash off your teeth quickly and doesn’t get stuck, it avoids many of the potential pitfalls of the treats listed above. Just be sure to avoid chocolate that contains other sticky things, such as caramel or candy cane chunks.
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Gingerbread
Ginger is such a strong flavor that gingerbread tends to have less sugar than other candies and treats. As long as you limit your intake, gingerbread is a reasonably healthy alternative to other candies and cookies and is much less damaging to your teeth and gums.