Desserts, Sugar, and Your Teeth

With all the holiday celebrations going on, we want to remind everyone that all the sugary desserts that come along with the holiday celebrations can cause tooth decay. We always recommend sweets in moderation, which is better for your overall health and dental health, however, we understand that the holiday celebrations often are equated with sweet, sugary desserts and they can be hard to avoid.

With that in mind, we wanted to provide some tips on how to take care of your teeth while still partaking in the celebrations. These tips are great for adults and children alike.

• If you can, try to brush your teeth after eating a sweet. We know this isn’t always possible, especially if you’re at a party, but if you can, that’s great! Otherwise, rinsing out your mouth to help remove the food particles is better than doing nothing.
• Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day, every day. And don’t forget to floss daily as well. Note: if your dentist hasn’t yet told your child to floss, be sure to ask before starting a flossing routine.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. While you may be eating more sweets, you want to make sure you’re getting all the other vitamins and nutrients your body needs. These help keep you and your teeth healthy.
• See your dentist every six months for regular dental and oral health check-ups and cleanings. If you have any dental problems, including tooth or oral pain, cracked teeth, loose fillings, etc. make sure you call your dentist immediately!

Pain is always a sign you need help immediately. If you’re experiencing any discomfort, be sure to call your dentist’s office and make an appointment as soon as possible. At Tempe Dental Care we are able to offer same day and emergency appointments to our existing and new patients.

From all of us at Tempe Dental Care, happy holidays!