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Health & Fitness

Surviving the holidays without cavities

The holidays are just around the corner, which means Thanksgiving and holiday parties full of sugary treats and candy. I've put together some tips for surviving the holidays free of cavities!

The holidays are just around the corner, which means Thanksgiving and holiday parties full of sugary treats and candy. Try to avoid the sticky, chewy, hard and crunchy treats. Soft and sticky candies stick to the teeth, giving the decay-causing bacteria time to decay your teeth. Hard candies dissolve slowly in your mouth, coating your teeth with sugar for a long period of time. They can also chip your teeth and cause choking in younger children. Instead of sweets, donate fruit, cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, or bottled water (with fluoride) for your child’s class party. Drinking water after eating sugary sweets will help rinse sugar away.

The Michigan Dental Association offers the following healthy tips:

  • Serve a balanced meal before the festivities begin, so children won’t be tempted to fill up on candy before they get home.
  • Offer the holiday candy as a substitute for dessert after lunch and dinner, or a few pieces along with a healthy snack.
  • Mix in healthy snacks along with candy, like vegetables, yogurt or milk, which is good for dunking cookies and washing down sweets.
  • Model healthy habits to your children by practicing restraint when dipping into the candy jar yourself.
  • Remember that dessert can be part of a healthy diet. Moderation is the key.
  • Make sure your children brush and floss their teeth after enjoying holiday treats.

 

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