If you’ve recently replaced your missing teeth with dentures or dental implants, you have a great reason to smile for the holidays. As you gather with friends and family, you’ll be surrounded by many of your favorite seasonal foods. Although your new teeth will closely look and feel natural, you might notice some slight differences when eating certain foods. You can avoid discomfort and embarrassment by skipping 3 popular holiday staples.
1. Eggnog
Eggnog can be an acquired taste, but it’s an excellent treat for the holidays. Unfortunately, it contains cream and sugar, and in some cases, alcohol. Sugar and alcohol can be a recipe for disaster. Although dentures and dental implants aren’t at risk for cavities, your smile is still vulnerable to bacteria caused by sugar. Not to mention, alcohol can dry out your mouth, causing bacteria levels to skyrocket.
2. Chewy Meats
Your new set of teeth allows you to enjoy a variety of foods, but you may want to choose turkey instead of chewy meats. Meats that require a lot of chewing can cause your dentures to slip or irritate your gum tissue. Prolonged chewing puts extra pressure on dentures and dental implants, which can affect their lifespans. If you can’t resist a juicy steak, cut it into small pieces to make it easier to chew. An adhesive can provide extra stability if you’re wearing a traditional denture.
3. Caramel
Caramel and other sticky treats can cling to your replacement teeth. Although it won’t cause cavities on fake teeth, sugar can still damage the prosthetics and lead to unpleasant odors. Not to mention, sticky foods may cause traditional dentures to fall out. If you need a sweet treat, choose chocolate instead of taffy, caramel, and other sticky candy.
Denture-Friendly Foods for the Holidays
There are a few things you should leave off of your plate, but you can still enjoy many seasonal snacks and meals, including:
- Turkey: Turkey is easy to chew and contains phosphorus to keep your smile healthy.
- Vegetables: Vegetables are loaded with vitamins and nutrients to support a healthy mouth and body. Crunchy vegetables will also act as scrub brushes to keep your pearly whites clean in between brushing.
- Cheese: Cheese is a great source of calcium, but it also has antibacterial qualities to lower the pH balance in your mouth. It also encourages saliva production to cleanse your mouth.
- Water: Water will keep your mouth and body hydrated to combat oral bacteria.
Besides watching what you eat, don’t forget to maintain your regular oral hygiene routine, even if you’re traveling for the holidays. You can feel confident knowing your new smile looks its best when gathering with loved ones for the holidays.
About Dr. Cher Rich
Dr. Rich earned her dental degree from the University of Texas and has regularly continued her education to provide advanced services, like restorative dentistry. Whether you need a cleaning and checkup or have missing teeth, Dr. Rich has the qualifications you can trust. Contact our office today to request an appointment.