It’s the season of gift giving and many of the treats contain sugar, which can be harmful to our smiles in the long run. If you’re not sure what sugar does to the teeth or alternative gifts to give this season, read this article from our team here at Mountain Aire Dentistry on alternative stocking stuffers for you to gift. 

Dangerous Stocking Stuffers: Sugar and Your Smile 

Sugar doesn’t do our teeth any favors, but many of us tend to ignore that fact during the holidays. Sugar can be found in chocolate-coated treats, candy canes, hot chocolate packets, and other goodies that often find themselves as treats in family stockings. When it comes down to it, there are several effects that sugar has on our bodies — including cavities and tooth decay.

How Do Cavities Form?

While sugar isn’t the main cause of cavities, it contributes to the problem. When we consume sugar, it sticks to our teeth and turns into a sticky film called plaque. Plaque is the main cause of cavities and tooth decay. The bacteria in plaque use the sugar to produce acids that attack our tooth enamel. Over time, this can lead to cavities and even tooth loss.

The best way to avoid cavities and tooth decay is to reduce the amount of sugar we consume. But if you can’t resist those sweet treats, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards. Also, try drinking water after eating sugary foods to help rinse away any remaining sugar before you’re able to get back home to your toothbrush.

Symptoms of Cavities

tFor some patients, cavities may show no symptoms. However, for other patients, common symptoms include:

• tooth sensitivity
• tooth pain
• a visible hole in your teeth
• black or white staining on your teeth

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to call your dentist right away. The sooner you schedule an appointment with us, the better we can treat and prevent further damage to your teeth and gums.

Cavity Treatments

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of cavities, it is important to contact Mountain Aire Dentistry as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the cavity, your dentist may recommend a variety of treatments, which may include:

• filling the cavity with a dental material
• repairing or replacing a tooth’s composite restoration
• crown or bridge
• root canal therapy
• tooth extraction

Dental Sealants

If you are at a high risk for cavities, your dentist may recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars). This coating helps to protect teeth from plaque

Stocking Stuffer Alternatives

When it comes to giving stocking stuffers this Christmas, try to give gifts that will help you maintain a healthy smile. To protect your teeth and gums this holiday season, and to make sure your family and friends do the same, here are some great stocking stuffer alternatives that don’t use sugar:

A box of floss

Floss is one of the best stocking stuffers you can get for your teeth!  Flossing keeps our teeth clean and our gums healthy. It’s also an important part of preventing cavities, gingivitis, and other dental problems.

A toothbrush

Another essential stocking stuffer for dental health is a new toothbrush! A fresh toothbrush helps remove plaque and bacteria from our teeth. It’s also important to replace our toothbrush every three months or so to keep it clean and effective.

A tube of toothpaste

You can never go wrong stocking up on toothpaste. Whether it’s a holiday stocking or stocking stuffers, there’s always room for more toothpaste. Toothpaste has many benefits including removing plaque and bacteria from the teeth and providing fluoride to help prevent cavities.

Dental hygiene products

There are many other dental hygiene products that make great stocking stuffers. If you don’t want to give traditional dental supplies listed above, search for modern dental products — like toothpaste tablets!

Give the Gift of a Healthy Smile this Christmas with Mountain Aire Dentistry!

Mountain Aire Dentistry is here to help you keep your smile healthy and sparkling this holiday season and all year round. We offer a variety of dental services to meet the dental health needs of your entire family. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!