LISTEN TO YOUR TEETH: GO EASY ON THE SWEETS

Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and many other cultural celebrations make up what we like to call “candy season,” a time of successive holidays that offer sweets a-plenty to all.

​Exactly why we need sweets to commemorate special holidays can be linked to family traditions, rather that the actual reason for those holidays.

We surveyed the staff at Lakeport Dental, and many said family holiday traditions involved special baking, sweets and special meals. Even Valentine’s Day, which not everyone considers a holiday, offered a reason for families to seek special mealtimes together and bake special treats for loved ones.
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It seems to be everywhere, that sweet stuff, linked to our cultural celebrations and popping up on television and the Internet with advertising promoting its ability to take you past the afternoon slump.

LAKEPORT DENTAL STAFF HAVE COME UP WITH SOME TIPS FOR AVOIDING CANDY IN THE HOME AND WORKPLACE, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

- It provides empty calories;

- It promotes tooth decay as candy is difficult to remove from the surface of teeth, and

-  It may lift you out of your afternoon slump, but because you have eaten sugar, you will likely crash very soon.
 
TO HELP AVOID THE SWEET STUFF, HERE ARE SOME COPING TECHNIQUES:

- Allow yourself one small piece, then drink a glass of water.

- Replace your sugary treat with an herbal tea or fruit-infused water treat;

- Try to figure out if you are actually hungry, or if you are just craving a sweet. If it’s craving, try eating fresh fruit instead. The fruit sugar will lift you; the fibre and vitamins will help you feel full. If you drink water at the same time, you’ll stay hydrated, allowing your salivary glands to function at maximum efficiency.

- If you must have sweet stuff on hand, make it so difficult to get to that you give up before trying!

- Finally, if you know you are prone to candy snacking, just don’t buy it. Choose fresh fruit, dried fruit, roasted nuts or even dry cereal (remember to watch portion sizes, though, as some of these things do contain sugar).

Since we’re none of us perfect, there will be times when the craving - especially the afternoon one - gets the better of us. Don’t beat yourself up. You know it’s not good for you or your teeth, but if you drink plenty of water and remember to rinse, floss or brush directly after your snack, you’re one step ahead of the rest of us.

Just remember - one holiday left, then candy season is done until October!

YOU’VE GOT THIS.To discuss your candy-coping strategies or have your teeth cleaned, call our office for an appointment at 905-934-0235.

Schedule an appointment via our website at the following link: Click Here!