The holidays are approaching quickly, so you may be preparing decorations and planning menus for upcoming parties and gatherings. Most people splurge on fatty and sugary foods over the holiday season, which can be bad for your waistline, but many of the holiday foods you crave can also affect your oral health. To reduce your risk of tooth discoloration, cavities, and gum disease, your dentist wants you to avoid these common foods this holiday season.

Candy Canes

Over the holidays, you will be tempted to eat many sugary and sweet foods. From cookies and cake to pies and chocolates, the high levels of sugar can eat away at your tooth enamel, increasing the risk of staining and cavities. However, the sugar used to make candy canes is not the only danger that you will need to worry about.

Yes, candy canes are packed with sugar, which affects your oral health, but the hard texture can be very problematic to your teeth. Biting down on the hard candy can chip away at the enamel and the tooth itself. If your tooth chips or breaks, sugar, food, and bacteria can get into the tooth pulp, leading to serious infections and even decay.

If you are someone that enjoys sucking on the candy canes until they create a point, more problems may occur. The pointed end and sharp tip can puncture your tongue and gum tissue, causing swelling and inflammation.

Wine

You may enjoy a glass of wine periodically through a normal week, but many people enjoy numerous glasses of wine over the holiday season. Unfortunately, wine can negatively affect your oral health in many ways.

The alcohol in wine will dry out your mouth, creating a warm, humid area that is appealing for bacteria growth. Also, the dark pigments found in wine can permanently discolor your teeth. Lastly, wine contains acidic properties, which erode tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth staining and cavities.

If you must enjoy wine throughout the holiday season, be sure to take sips of water in between each sip of wine. This not only helps rinse away the dark pigments and acids, but it will also keep your mouth moist.

The holidays are meant for enjoyment, but you should use caution when consuming a few common holiday foods and beverages. By reducing your consumption of candy canes and wine, you can protect the look and underlying health of your mouth, teeth, and gums.