Common Christmas Desserts Bad for Your Teeth and Health

Christmas Desserts Bad for TeethThe holidays often mean lots of yummy treats. Unfortunately, most Christmas desserts are bad for your teeth and overall health. We’re not going to be the Grinch and tell you not to partake, but you should practice moderation. Our family dentists have compiled a short list of snacks to stay away from or only consume in small morsels.

4 Christmas Desserts Bad for Teeth

Candy Canes

Candy canes are bad for the same reason all hard candies are bad for your teeth. Not only are they virtually nothing but sugar, but they can also damage your teeth when you bite on them. Our endodontists have had to treat kids and adults who chipped a tooth because they bit on hard substances like candy or ice.

On the bright side, candy canes do give you minty fresh breath. Nevertheless, the potential damage outweighs the possible benefits here.

Eggnog

We love eggnog just as much as you do, and it even contains vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, and potassium. However, the sugar content just absolutely ruins it. While the sugar content varies across brands, some have as much as 18 grams per ¼ cup serving.

In addition, some brands may also contain food dye. Our cosmetic dentists frown on any treat containing artificial dye because they’re notorious teeth stainers.

Fruitcake

There seems to be this idea that fruitcake is healthy because it contains fruit. The fruit is actually candied fruit, meaning that it’s dried and sweetened with sugar syrup. Not only is the cake as a whole loaded with sugar but the fruit portion doesn’t even have any nutritional value.

Gingerbread House

Sure, it’s fun to gobble down a gingerbread house after building it and snapping a few pics of it for your Instagram. However, other construction materials for gingerbread houses typically include frosting, gumdrops, and other sugary and sticky confections.

Mark a Dental Appointment on Your December Calendar

Please call Mukilteo Dental Arts for an exam right before the holidays. You don’t have to deprive yourself of Christmas desserts bad for your teeth; just use common sense.

Edited by Justin Vorhees

December Appointments Available

General family dentistry for Mukilteo, Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds & Mill Creek