When Should I Get Full Mouth Dental Implants?

The holidays are a time for indulgence and celebration, but unseemly holiday food choices can take a toll on your teeth. This season of sweets and treats makes it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene habits. At Gregory S. Peterson DMD & Associates, your dentist in the Pittsburgh area would like to remind you that excess sugar and poor nutrition can have a long-term impact on oral health. Lots of Sweets During Holiday Celebrations Sugar-filled goodies like candy canes, peppermint bark, and taffy can cause cavities; sticky candy takes longer to wash away from teeth while bacteria feed off the sugar and release acid that weakens tooth enamel. Soda, fruit juices, and single-serve wines also have high sugar content. Swapping sugary snacks for nuts or cheese can help reduce cavities. Lots of Snacking Throughout the Day Snacking is a favorite holiday tradition, but like anything else done in excess, grazing on snacks throughout the day can lead to plaque and tooth decay. Snacks like chips, cookies, and crackers are high in carbohydrates, which produce an acid that weakens the teeth’s enamel. When snacking consistently throughout the day, your mouth doesn't get the chance to clean the bacteria off your teeth, which can lead to issues such as cavities. Increase in Alcohol Consumption Alcohol consumption is common during the holidays, but it can be damaging to teeth. Beer and wine contain sugars that turn into acids that weaken tooth enamel, while dark drinks like whiskey or Merlot can stain teeth. Combining hard liquor with sugary mixers does double the damage. Changes in Your Oral Care Routine When traveling, it can be easy to fall out of your normal oral care habits. You may be staying up late and forgetting to brush your teeth, or you may even forget your toothbrush, being left without proper oral care for a day. Be sure to remain in your regular routine, brushing and flossing regularly and rinsing your mouth out after meals to help combat common holiday threats to your teeth. At Gregory S. Peterson DMD & Associates, your top dentist office in Upper St. Clair , we encourage our patients to maintain good oral hygiene habits during the holidays and all year round. If you’re looking for a dentist in Pittsburgh, call us today to schedule an appointment!