Keep Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays
As Christmas grows nearer, the desire for all those little Christmas goodies are likely to increase. Whether you have a weakness for yams, candy canes, cookies, or whatever else, there’s a good chance that your willpower will be tested over the holiday.
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of indulging. Everyone does it. However, you must be cognizant of the fact that many of your favorite yuletide treats are loaded with sugar — and that can spell bad news for your teeth and overall oral health. To help you avoid such problems, here are some quick tips for you to follow:
Watch What You Put on Your Plate
Sounds simple enough, right? Yet that’s where so many people fail. After all, with everything going on — the excitement of seeing your family and friends, giving and receiving gifts, enjoying holiday music, and maybe even watching a little football — it’s so easy to get caught up in having fun, so that when everyone forms a line to get food, you just plop down everything you see. We don’t want to take away all of your enjoyment of the holiday, of course, but we suggest that you load up with some healthy items, plus some sweets on the side. Also remember to pace yourself and avoid going back for seconds.
Make Sure That Someone Brings Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Yes, we know it’s Christmas time and everyone wants to bake cookies or craft their favorite casserole. This is all fine and dandy, but there should also be healthy options, such as fresh fruit or a veggie snack tray. You can make a snack tray yourself, of course, but during such a hectic time, it’s probably easier if you just go pick one up at the store. They’re pricier than making one yourself, but they obviously take much less effort. Whether you bring it yourself or make sure someone else will, it’s always nice for those who are trying to stay healthy, for both their weight and dental health.
Bring Sweet Treats That Are a Little Healthier
If you want to indulge your sweet tooth while also limiting the amount of sugar in your desserts, try a holiday favorite that is somewhat healthier than others. Strawberries covered in dark-chocolate, homemade pumpkin pie, and fruit tarts are all better than, say, a chocolate pie with graham cracker crust. We guarantee that these items will be just as popular as anything else being offered. Yes, these items still have a good enough of sugar, but every little bit helps. Your stomach will thank you and so will your teeth.
Take a Walk Before Grabbing Dessert
Have you ever been eating a meal and instead of gradually feeling full, it just happens all at once? That’s because it takes approximately 20 minutes for your body to tell your brain that your stomach is full. This is why many health-conscious people tend to eat smaller meals, or at least to eat at a slower pace. So after you’ve eaten the main course and sides, take a walk around the block to allow some time to pass. Then, once you get back, you have a better chance at realizing how full you are, which means you’ll eat less of the dessert.
As we said, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of indulging. However, if you want to keep your teeth healthy, we recommend that you follow the above tips. In addition, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon after the holiday as possible. Instead of waiting, give us a call today and we’ll get you started on better dental health for the upcoming year.