HIGHLAND FAMILY DENTISTRY

It's the holiday season. So for many that means parties, lots of food and maybe a celebratory drink or two. There are so many studies about alcohol that make the news that it can be hard to keep up. A study that says a glass of red wine a day may be good for your heart health is followed closely by another study that says daily consumption of alcohol is dangerous. But what researchers don't take into account in many of these studies is the effect alcohol has on oral health. Not to be a downer, but alcohol abuse can lead to higher plaque levels, and increased risk of tooth loss or decay, mouth sores and periodontal disease. There is also an increased risk of oral cancer. The reason behind most of these risks is simple: sugar. Alcohol may not taste sweet, but there are sugars in it and bacteria in your mouth feed on those sugars and grow. Slowly nursing a drink over a long period of time keeps sugar levels elevated and that helps bacteria grow. A second reason is that alcohol dries out the mouth. That means saliva is reduced and since saliva rinses away bad bacteria in the mouth, the risk of problems like tooth decay and gum disease are increased. More immediate is that without saliva to wash away that bacteria, you can develop bad breath, which is no fun for you or those around you. Now most people won't have to worry about this, but it is possible that alcohol can stain your teeth, especially if you are a fan of red wine. After a glass of two you can often see a slight discoloration that goes away with brushing. But it's just a good thing to know, especially if you have been told you have weak enamel. Solutions? They are so easy it's almost not worth writing about. Cut down on sugar by drinking dry wines and limiting fruity alcoholic drinks. Also, drinking water after each alcoholic beverage will rinse some of the sugars down. (It's also a good idea to keep yourself sober.) Snacking is also a good idea to get the saliva flowing—just stay away from the sweets! You can also chew some sugar-free gum in between drinks. And, of course, maintaining your oral hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing is a must. So if you plan on making alcohol a part of your holiday celebrations remember: Your teeth aren't immune to the effects of alcohol. Be responsible, so you won't regret it later.

Halloween is just around the corner. And we don't want to be a wet blanket by telling you things you already know, but...too much candy can be detrimental to your dental health. And we don't expect anyone to not let their little goblins out for a fun night of screaming and collecting treats. But here are a few things you can do to minimize any impact the sugary treats might have on your children. Eat Halloween treats with meals If you unwrap a sugary treat right after meals, your mouth is already making the extra saliva it needs to help rinse away bits of food (and candy). That's the point of saliva, it removes bacteria. Sugary things should not be regular snacks Eat them, sure, once in a while, but mix it up a bit. Fruit, raw veggies, nuts or crackers should be the primary snacks. This goes for kids — and adults. Sticky candy is the enemy Avoid sticky, gummy sweets that can cling to your teeth, which raises your risk of developing cavities. Also, hard candy that stays in your mouth for a long time isn't great either. Also, sour candies have lots of dietary acids that can attack the enamel of your teeth. Chocolate is good! (In moderation) Chocolate is the most popular kind of candy and it won't stick to your teeth like other candies do. Dark chocolate is even better, because there’s less sugar in semisweet and dark chocolate than in milk chocolate. Don't be the keeper of a candy bowl It may be tempting to keep candy around and your coworkers may love it, too. But your teeth will be happy if you put the candy away so you won't mindlessly eat it all day long. Also, limit your kids' candy consumption to one or two pieces a day. Chew sugar-free gum If you do eat candy, consider chewing sugar-free gum afterward. It will minimize the damage done by the acid. Have it on hand and chew for 20 minutes for the best results. It will also keep your breath fresh. Be that family that gives healthy treats Too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Consider passing out coloring books and crayons or pens and pencils or even toothbrushes or floss. It won't go to waste and you can feel good knowing you helped another parent out.