Holiday eating and drinking habits can impact dental health, experts warn

As the holiday season encourages indulgence in starchy and sugary foods, dental health experts are urging people to consider the impact these foods and drinks have on their teeth. Dr. Maurice Edwards, president of the New York State Dental Association, advises moderation in consuming holiday treats, including alcohol, which contains sugar and can increase the risk of cancer, including oral cancer.

Dr. Edwards recommends drinking water between alcoholic beverages or after consuming sweets, as well as maintaining regular flossing and brushing routines. He also suggests timing sweets to “between 30 minutes or so after eating, and the reason for that is that it increases the amount of saliva that’s being produced, and it makes it that your mouth is almost self-cleansing. It’s at least getting rid of some of the sugars and stuff that, you know, candy puts on your teeth,” Dr. Edwards said.

Emphasizing the connection between dental and overall health, Dr. Edwards encourages people to view dental health as integral to their overall medical well-being, reminding them that the mouth is part of the body and not a separate entity.