Texas A&M University College of Dentistry’s tips for a teeth-friendly holiday season
Celebrating the holidays can be both fun and safe for your oral health if you think ahead. Dr. Stephen McDonald, clinical associate professor in comprehensive dentistry at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, and Dr. Partha Mukherji, clinical assistant professor in comprehensive dentistry at the dental college, offer tips to keep your mouth healthy.
The holidays are full of family gatherings, parties and other opportunities to eat indulgent foods. However, those holiday treats can wreak havoc in your mouth.
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas offers tips to help you survive the holiday season with your healthy smile intact, even if you eat a little treat here and there.
Don’t graze on sugary snacks, said Dr. Stephen McDonald, clinical associate professor in comprehensive dentistry. Indulge, rinse with water and be done with it, at least for a while.
“The amount of sugary foods and candy consumed during the holidays isn’t great for your waistline or your blood glucose level, but it probably isn’t the most important factor in regard to your dental health,” McDonald said. “The amount of time that your teeth are exposed to the acid produced by the sugar-ingesting bacteria is the key factor when it comes to cavities or tooth decay.”
Seek snacks low in sugar, such as pears, which stimulate saliva production. Other teeth-friendly foods include unsalted nuts, carrots and avocados.
Keep to a routine
Whether traveling, attending parties or shopping, don’t put off brushing and flossing. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Floss at least once daily.
“While the ingredients in brands vary, all toothpastes contain mild abrasives that help remove food debris and stains on teeth,” McDonald said. “Look for the ADA Seal when purchasing toothpaste.”
If you are on the go, pack travel-size toothpaste, floss and mouthwash to remove food particles and plaque.
Eat cheese
Pair cheese when choosing cavity-causing foods for in-between-meals snacking. Chewing cheese increases saliva flow and helps clear cavity-causing bacteria and sugar. An Academy of General Dentistry study found that eating cheese kept pH levels elevated for up to 30 minutes.
When the mouth is exposed to low pH for prolonged periods, cavity-causing bacteria can thrive, said Dr. Partha Mukherji, clinical assistant professor in comprehensive dentistry. The range for a healthy mouth is 6.2 to 7.6, slightly acidic to neutral.
Drink water, rather than soda
Drinking water before meals makes you feel fuller and less likely to overeat. If you replace sugary drinks with water, you also wash away food particles, encourage saliva production and reduce the chances of decay.
Keep these tips on your checklist, and you will enjoy all the holiday festivities and enter 2026 with a healthy mouth.