Dr. Burnham’s Holiday Smile Tips for Northgate

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, made even better by the traditional treats you prepare just for the holidays. 'Tis the season for your mom’s must-have turkey stuffing or your aunt’s best-ever sugar cookies. It’s important, however, to understand how these dishes and desserts affect your dental health.  
 
You'll be happy to hear that not all these indulgences are tough on your teeth. Some can support your oral health, while others can cause issues if you’re not careful. Let Dr. Burnham and your local Aspen Dental care team help you enjoy the season and protect your healthy smile. Here are a few key points to start.  
 

• Did you know? Holiday foods like cheese, turkey, crunchy vegetables and nuts can strengthen enamel with calcium and phosphorus, while sticky candies, hard candy canes and sugary eggnog expose teeth to cavity-causing acids.  

• Timing matters. Timing your treats strategically, like eating sweets with meals instead of grazing, rinsing with water and choosing tooth-friendly snacks helps protect your smile during the festive season.  

• Get that checkup. Dr. Samuel Burnham and the Northgate team offer same-day appointments, Saturday hours and affordable care to help the Northgate community maintain healthy smiles this holiday and beyond.  

• Check your benefits. Your dental benefits expire December 31, making now the perfect time to schedule a cleaning at Aspen Dental in Northgate and maximize your coverage before year-end.  

Why holiday dental health matters more than you think  

You've been looking forward to this all year. The holiday parties, the gatherings and the shopping trips through Northgate Mall with hot cocoa in hand. Yet, here's something many people don't realize—this is one of the toughest times on your teeth. Between candy canes at checkout counters, rich drinks at office events and so many cookie exchanges, your teeth face a steady exposure to sugar and acid. 

It's not just about avoiding your favorite treats. It's about understanding what happens in your mouth when you reach for that third piece of fudge or sip on soda while you shop. Every time sugar hits your teeth, bacteria in your mouth feed on it and produce acid. That acid can weaken enamel, and if you snack all day, your teeth never get a break. By January, Dr. Samuel Burnham and the team at Aspen Dental Northgate see the results: new cavities, tooth sensitivity and patients who wish they'd been more careful. 

Fortunately, maintaining your smile doesn’t mean avoiding holiday buffets and treat trays altogether. A few helpful habits can make a big difference.    

Smart holiday snack swaps for stronger teeth  

Not all holiday foods are created equal. Some actually help protect your teeth, while others can cause damage. The difference depends on what those foods do once you’ve eaten them. Do they linger in your mouth and feed bacteria, or do they neutralize acid, help strengthen enamel and essentially clean your teeth naturally? 

Foods that protect your enamel  

When you're at a holiday party or gift shopping at Northgate Mall, turn to these tooth-friendly snacks.  

 
Cheese is one of the best choices you can make. It’s packed with calcium and phosphorus, which support enamel, and it raises the pH in your mouth to help neutralize acids. A cheese platter isn't just festive, it's also a quiet ally to your teeth. 
 

Turkey and other lean proteins work in a similar way. They're low in sugar, high in phosphorus, and they don't stick to teeth or break down into harmful acids. When it comes to your teeth, a turkey sandwich at the food court is a much better choice than a soft pretzel covered in cinnamon sugar.  
 

Crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery and bell peppers act like nature's toothbrush. They require more chewing, which boosts saliva, (your mouth's natural defense against acid), and their texture helps remove leftover food particles. Raw veggies with hummus or ranch dip make a simple, on-the-go snack while you run holiday errands.  

 
Nuts, such as almonds and walnuts, are another smart choice. They're rich in calcium and protein, low in sugar and their crunch helps clean teeth. Just be careful with very hard nuts like unshelled pistachios or whole hazelnuts, since biting down on them can chip teeth .  

Foods that can damage your teeth  

Most people enjoy at least one of these foods during the holidays. They aren’t all bad. Even if you reach for one or more (hello, dinner rolls), timing and practicing a little moderation can make a difference.

Sticky candies like caramels, taffy, and dried fruit can cling to teeth for hours, giving bacteria plenty of time to produce acid. If you choose to eat them, do so right after a meal when saliva production is highest, then brush your teeth after 30 minutes.  
 

Hard candies like candy canes and peppermint bark create a double risk. They saturate your teeth in sugars as they dissolve, and if you bite down hard, you might crack a tooth. Dr. Burnham treats several chipped teeth every December from candy canes alone.  
 

Sugary drinks are more harmful than most people realize. Eggnog, hot chocolate, soda and holiday cocktails coat your teeth with sugar and acid. When you sip them during the day, or into the evening, your teeth never get a break from the acid.  
 

Starchy foods like cookies, stuffing and dinner rolls break down into sugars in your mouth. Their soft texture can pack into the grooves of your molars, feeding bacteria long after you've finished eating. Acidic foods like cranberry sauce can wear down enamel over time, especially if you enjoy them often during this time of year.  

Dr. Burnham's holiday dental protection tips  

Dr. Samuel Burnham has been treating patients in the Cincinnati area for years, and he's seen every holiday dental issue you can imagine. Here's what he recommends to help keep your teeth healthy throughout the season.

 1. Time your treats strategically  

Eat sweets with meals instead of as a standalone snack. A full meal increases saliva, which helps neutralize acid and wash away sugar. Having dessert right after dinner is much better for your teeth than snacking on candy all afternoon while you're shopping at Northgate Mall. If you are going to treat yourself to ice cream, candy, cake or chocolates, instead of having a little here and there, enjoy them in one sitting, preferably after lunch or dinner, and then brush after waiting 30 minutes. Since sugary sweets can soften your enamel, brushing too soon may wear down the softened surface.

2. Choose tooth-friendly holiday foods  

Build your holiday plates around foods that protect enamel. Start with cheese and vegetables, eat your turkey and lean proteins and save room for nuts. When you have sweets, pair them with water or cheese to help neutralize the acid. A cheese plate and some dark chocolate is a better move for your teeth than a plate of cookies eaten on their own.

3. Rinse and brush after sweets  

If you can't brush right away after eating sweets (and most people can't while shopping or traveling), rinse with water. Swish thoroughly to wash away sugar and dilute acid. Then, brush as soon as you get home. It’s important to note that if you’re within reach of your toothbrush after eating acidic foods, you should still wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. Acids can temporarily soften enamel, and brushing too soon can cause damage.  

4. Stay hydrated with water  

Water is your teeth's best friend—now and all year long. It rinses away food particles, dilutes acid and supports saliva. Every time you have a sugary drink or sticky snack, follow it with plain water. When you're walking through Northgate Mall or attending holiday parties, carry a water bottle and sip often. 

Schedule with Dr. Burnham before year-end  

The holidays are busy enough without adding dental issues to the mix. You deserve to enjoy the season without worrying about cavities, toothaches or expired dental benefits.  
 
Dr. Samuel Burnham and the team at Aspen Dental in Northgate make it easy to protect your smile with same-day appointments, Saturday hours, and comprehensive dental care that fits your schedule and budget.  
 

Whether you need a routine cleaning, want to use your year-end benefits or have been putting off treatment, now is the right time to schedule an appointment. The Northgate office is conveniently located near Northgate Mall on Colerain Avenue, making it simple to stop in before or after your holiday shopping.  
 

Finish the year off strong by taking care of your teeth. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Burnham today, online or by phone, and start the new year with a healthy, confident smile that lasts beyond the holidays.