Holiday Sweets and Dental Health

With so many holiday ads coming at us from every direction, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Thanksgiving and Christmas and completely forget about calories. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without pumpkin pie and whipped cream and we all have a favorite Christmas candy.

We usually eat our share of these and other wonderful treats and simply tell ourselves we’ll go on a big diet after New Year’s. Though your waistline can suffer during the holidays, so can your teeth. Many a child and adults with visions of sugar plums dancing in their head will wake up sometime in January to find that they have some new cavities. Dentists often see patients around the beginning of the year who went a bit overboard during the holidays and now they are suffering from a toothache.

With that in mind, let’s look at some things that we can all do to keep our teeth healthy while still enjoying the wonders of the Holiday Season.

How Sugar Affects Our Teeth

When we indulge in sugary foods and drinks, we are providing food to the bacteria in our mouths that feed on that same sugar. Harmful acids are created as a by-product of the bacteria breaking down the sugars, and that acid is what weakens enamel and begins cavity formation.

If you have sweet snacks around the house, it can be tempting to snack on those throughout the day. This is also true during parties, where we are constantly nibbling on homemade candies, cakes and pies or drinking sweet beverages like cola or wine. All the latest research confirms that snacking on sweets continuously will lead to tooth decay and gum disease much faster. The answer? Good, consistent dental care.

Since we know that we will most likely go ahead and enjoy those scrumptious holiday delicacies, then it’s best to make a commitment now to practice good oral hygiene. This can head off some potential dental problems and give us peace of mind about reaching for those chocolate-covered raisins and peanut brittle.

Tip Number One

Buy a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste and stick it in your purse or pocket, especially when going out to a Christmas party or anywhere where rich, sugary foods will be served. It’s important to brush as soon as possible after having high-sugar foods and drinks.

Tip Number Two

Try to eat sweets and foods high in carbs as part of a balanced meal, instead of simply eating them alone. When eating larger meals, our bodies produce more saliva and this works to help digest foods and neutralize damaging acids before they can attack your teeth.

Stay Away from Sticky Foods

Try to limit your consumption of chewy or sticky foods. Some of these may seem nutritious, but foods that force you to chew them for a long time also stick to your teeth longer. After eating things like dried fruit, raisins, chewy candies, and such, try to rinse out your mouth or brush as soon as possible.

Get a Checkup Now

Healthy teeth and gums are so important and it’s simple to maintain our dental health even during the holiday season if we will just take a few precautions. Dr. Ryan Jones encourages you to call the office and make an appointment before the holidays. By getting a professional dental check-up now, you’ll be more conscientious about indulging in those rich holiday foods. Dr. Jones can let you know if you have any problem areas that need special attention.

At our office, you’ll find digital state-of-the-art x-ray equipment and all the latest dental healthcare tools. Patients receive the very best treatment options available in a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. We work with our patients to maintain that beautiful, healthy smile year-round.

We are equipped to handle the majority of your dental needs

We understand the importance of having a dentist you can trust. And that means not being sent off to a different specialist every time you need a new procedure. At Nashville Restorative Dentistry, we are equipped to handle the majority of your dental needs from cosmetic to restorative, implants to extractions. When you come to us, you are getting a dental team for life.

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Dr. Ryan M. Jones

Ryan M. Jones, DDS, FAGD, focuses on delivering excellence in dental care and creating beautiful smiles, fighting disease and inflammation, using biocompatible materials, and educating patients about their scope of treatment options. He is an alumnus of Brentwood High School, the University of Tennessee (Knoxville), and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry (Memphis). He is a graduate and mentor for the Kois Center in Seattle, a world-class post-graduate facility focusing on comprehensive patient care. He has taken the Pikos Institute (Tampa, FL) curriculum, which is focused on advanced surgical techniques. He’s also earned a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and is currently expanding his digital dentistry and Exocad knowledge in various courses.

Dr. Jones is also passionate about providing for the underserved and has taken part in many dentistry-related charity and community projects.

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Dr. Caleb M. Estes

Caleb M. Estes, DMD, FAGD, is a dedicated professional with a strong academic background and extensive postdoctoral education. After graduating from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville and earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the SIU School of Dental Medicine, he has constantly pursued advanced training. He has earned a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry and is a graduate of the prestigious Kois Center. Before joining Nashville Restorative Dentistry, he served in the US Army as a general dentist and a Captain, deploying alongside US and NATO forces to Afghanistan in 2015. He also completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program with the Army during this time.

Dr. Estes’ passion is to provide excellence in clinical dentistry and patient care while using the best restorative and preventative materials available. Accomplished in both surgical and restorative dentistry, he finds great fulfillment in transforming smiles and instilling confidence in his patients.

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Issue: Severely compromised remaining natural teeth with multiple areas of decay, failing previous dental work, missing teeth, unaesthetically restored lower front implants, and extremely worn and chipped upper front teeth.

Solution: Through a detailed plan of bone grafting, implant placement, and new crowns on the remaining natural teeth – a dramatic restoration of function and cosmetic appearance was possible.

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Holiday Sweets and Dental Health