It’s the holidays … and sweets are gifted, made, and shared with family and friends.  They are called “treats” for a reason.  However, sugar plays havoc on tooth enamel.  Here’s what Santa does to help his mouth stay healthy, even with all the sweets he eats!

All sugars can cause decay.  Decay happens when sugar reacts the bacteria in plaque and produces harmful acids.  It’s the acids that erode the enamel. Try some or all of Santa’s suggestions to offset the effects of eating holiday sweets:

• Space out the sweets.
• Hydrate!  Drink lots of water.  This also washes away some of the acid as well as the remnants of the sweets.
• Swish water around your mouth with plain water after snacking and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.
• Chew sugarless gum (with Xylitol) after eating sweets.  It helps promote more saliva to offset the acid, as well as washing away some of the sugars that have stuck around and between the teeth, that promote cavity-causing bacteria.
• Neutralize acidity in your mouth with an elevated pH mouth rinse.
• When you do brush, use a toothpaste with fluoride.  And be sure to floss. 

If you are having any tooth pain over the holidays that need immediate attention, you can always call Cascadia Dental Specialists.  For emergency care, call us at 425-644-7444.