{"id":469,"date":"2021-12-06T14:37:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T19:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.centraldentalnorwood.com\/blog\/?p=469"},"modified":"2022-01-05T14:37:33","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T19:37:33","slug":"holidays-worst-time-year-dental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centraldentalnorwood.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/06\/holidays-worst-time-year-dental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"True or False: The Holidays Are the Worst Time of Year for Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"woman<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that many of the most popular holiday treats aren\u2019t exactly the healthiest. From Halloween candies to Christmas cookies, most people consume more sugar than they should be during the last three months of the year. As you might expect, all of that sugar can wreak havoc on your dental health. But is the holiday season really the worst time of year for your teeth? As any dentist will tell you, the answer is yes! Read on to learn a few reasons why, as well as some tips for preventing cavities<\/a> this holiday season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Is the Holiday Season Bad for Your Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few reasons why dental health problems like tooth decay and gum disease are more common around the holidays:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sugary Sweets Galore<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pumpkin pie, candy canes, and other holiday staples are chock-full of sugar. Overindulging in them attracts bacteria that produce acids that eat away at your tooth enamel, causing cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grazing on Snacks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of us spend Thanksgiving and Christmas catching up with loved ones while snacking throughout the day. Unfortunately, grazing doesn\u2019t give your saliva a chance to clean the bacteria from your teeth after eating, which increases your risk of decay. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throwing Off Your Routine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy for your normal oral hygiene routine to get thrown out of whack this time of year, especially if you\u2019re traveling. Whether you forgot to pack your toothbrush or you stayed up too late with family and fell asleep without brushing, failing to clean your mouth as often as you typically do can lead to disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Protect Your Smile During the Holidays<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because it\u2019s the holiday season doesn\u2019t necessarily mean your oral health is doomed. There are plenty of things you can do to keep your smile safe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n