Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Between all of the year-end holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, there are lots of food temptations. Baked goods, candy, your grandmother’s homemade fruitcake, and sweet cocktails, hot cocoa, and eggnog – there’s one thing these treats have in common – sugar! It’s obvious that the holidays may make an impression on your waistline (don’t worry, we aren’t judging!), but these sweet treats can also cause damage to your oral health.
Christmas means lots and lots of food, and for some, a cocktail or two! From the meats to the delicious sides dishes and desserts, there’s enough sugar and carbohydrates to wreak havoc on your teeth. Did you know that sugar and carbohydrates are building blocks for tooth decay?
Here’s how it works:
The bacteria in our mouths breakdown sugar and carbs and turn it into acids that erode dental enamel. In turn, this raises your risk of tooth decay and gum diseases. However, taking care of your teeth by brushing twice a day and flossing daily helps to remove this buildup that causes damage to your teeth and gums.
If you’re concerned about your teeth, here’s how to avoid a dental emergency during the holidays:
- Brush after each meal, and try not to snack between meals as this will leave sugars on your teeth, fueling the bacteria.
- Don’t hang around the kitchen. We know that for most holiday gatherings, everyone congregates in the kitchen. While there may be good company, there’s also a plethora of food! Stay out of the kitchen to avoid the temptation to snack throughout the day.
- Flossing removes food particles and sugar from between your teeth. There’s no other effective way to clean these interproximal areas of your teeth. Make sure that you floss after your last meal of the day. The purpose is to remove that stuck on food, especially meat or bread, that like to linger in these hard to reach areas.
What to do if you end up with a dental emergency
If you happen to be one of the unfortunate ones that end up with a crown that pops off or a broken tooth while enjoying that pecan pie this holiday, don’t worry. Here’s what to do until you can get in to see your Greeneville area dentists.
If a crown or filling pops off, keep the restoration in a baggie or a small box, do not replace it in your mouth as it won’t stay in place and could pose as a choking hazard. Try not to eat on that side of the mouth to avoid causing damage to your tooth. If the tooth hurts or is sensitive, take over-the-counter pain reliever to relieve any discomfort.
If you happen to crack a tooth and it isn’t causing you a great deal of pain, just avoid chewing on the affected side to prevent further damage to the tooth. Call your emergency dentist in Greeneville at Tusculum Dental Care by calling (423) 639-7575.
Tusculum Dental Care is proud to serve the oral health needs of patients in the areas of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin in Tennessee.