The holidays are always full of fun items, with sweet treats being some of them. However, indulging in too many of them can cause a few problems, especially with your teeth. As any dentist will tell you, sugary foods can exacerbate tooth decay and quickly lead to cavities. To protect your pearly whites, try to stay away from the following. 

What Are Some Treats That Might Send You to the Dentist?

1. Candy Canes

While picture-perfect and lovely to hang as ornaments, candy canes are dangerous in many ways. As you keep one in your mouth for an extended time, the melting sugar and dye will slowly coat your teeth and attract the bacteria that leads to erosion. Furthermore, if you bite down at the wrong angle, you could break a crown, filling, or the tooth itself. 

2. Fruit Cakes

A long-lasting staple during the holidays, fruit cakes are filled with sugar. Not only are there pieces of candied fruit in it, but traditionally, they're often soaked in rum, which has a very high sugar content. 

Just like candy canes, the candied fruit can also crack any work done by a dentist. If there are hard nuts in it, those are also a dental hazard. 

3. Caramel and Taffy

These gooey candies can ruin your teeth in a similar fashion as the other two. Because they are so chewy, they'll work slowly to coat your teeth with sugar. However, they can also strongly stick to the surface to the point where they can pull out a crown or even part of your braces if you have them.

If you've tasted a few too many treats this holiday season, book an appointment with Craig A. Spletzer, DDS. Located in Fairfield, OH, this clinic has served families for more than 30 years. Experienced and comprehensive, they'll help with preventative care, fillings, teeth whitening, and much more. To learn more about this practice and all the dentistry procedures they offer, visit their website or call (513) 860-1133