The holiday season brings an abundance of sweets and treats, potentially impacting dental health. Eileen Hoskin, an associate professor and director of operative dentistry at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, offers advice on maintaining healthy teeth during the holidays and throughout the year.
Hoskin emphasizes moderation when consuming sweets: “No matter the time of year, you should only eat or drink something sweet once or twice a day.” She explains that frequent sugar intake leads to tooth decay due to changes in bacterial colonization. To manage sugar cravings, she suggests xylitol “sugar-free” gum as a beneficial alternative. “It is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that derives from birch trees,” Hoskin notes, while advising moderation to avoid potential side effects like abdominal discomfort.
Chewing xylitol gum after consuming sweets can reduce bacteria and stimulate saliva flow, which helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids. Hoskin adds that xylitol may also help re-mineralize tooth enamel.
For those seeking whiter smiles during the festive season, Hoskin advises against whitening treatments just before events: “Teeth dehydrate during any whitening process,” making them more prone to staining and sensitivity. She recommends consulting a dentist if sensitivity persists beyond a few days.
Highlighting oral health care as an essential New Year’s resolution, Hoskin points out that millennials often neglect dental care due to time constraints. She encourages everyone to prioritize regular dental check-ups and cleanings over waiting for issues to arise.
