The holiday season is here, which means delicious feasts, sweet treats, and plenty of reasons to gather around the table. But while you’re enjoying all those festive flavors, have you stopped to think about what these holiday foods are doing to your teeth? At Sweet Tooth Dental in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Nicole Hall wants to help you navigate the holiday spread so you can enjoy yourself while keeping your smile bright and healthy.

Holiday Foods That Are Bad for Teeth: The Naughty List

Let’s start with the foods you’ll want to enjoy in moderation this season. These holiday favorites can wreak havoc on your dental health if you’re not careful.

Sticky Sweets and Candies

Caramels, toffee, candy canes, and gingerbread cookies topped with frosting are holiday staples, but they’re among the worst Christmas foods for teeth. Sticky candies cling to your teeth and are difficult to wash away with saliva, giving bacteria more time to produce enamel-eroding acid. Hard candies aren’t much better—they bathe your teeth in sugar for extended periods, and crunching down on them can crack or chip your teeth.

Dried Fruits

While dried cranberries and apricots might seem like healthier options, they’re surprisingly problematic. They’re sticky, sugary, and tend to get lodged between teeth, creating the perfect environment for cavity-causing bacteria.

Acidic Foods and Drinks

Cranberry sauce, citrus-based cocktails, and wine are holiday favorites that are highly acidic. These foods and beverages soften your tooth enamel, making it more vulnerable to decay. Red and white wine can also stain your teeth or contribute to erosion.

Starchy Sides

Dinner rolls, stuffing, and mashed potatoes break down into sugars in your mouth. These starches can get trapped between teeth and along the gum line, feeding harmful bacteria throughout the evening.

Best Foods for Teeth During the Holidays: The Nice List

Now for the good news! Plenty of holiday foods can actually benefit your dental health. Load up your plate with these smile-friendly options.

Cheese and Dairy

Cheese platters are a holiday party staple, and your teeth will thank you for indulging. Cheese is rich in calcium and phosphates, which help strengthen tooth enamel. It also increases saliva production, naturally washing away food particles and neutralizing acids.

Crunchy Vegetables

Raw carrots, celery, and bell peppers on your veggie tray aren’t just low in sugar—they’re nature’s toothbrush. Their fibrous texture helps scrub your teeth while you eat, and chewing them stimulates saliva flow, which protects against decay.

Nuts

Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are excellent choices. They’re low in sugar, high in beneficial minerals like calcium and phosphorus, and their crunchy texture helps clean tooth surfaces.

Turkey and Lean Proteins

Turkey, chicken, and other lean meats are packed with phosphorus, which works alongside calcium to keep your teeth strong and healthy. Plus, they don’t contribute to tooth decay like sugary foods do.

Water

Don’t underestimate the power of good old H2O. Drinking water throughout your holiday meals helps rinse away food particles and sugar, keeping your mouth cleaner between brushing sessions.

Tips for Protecting Your Teeth This Holiday Season

You don’t have to skip your favorite treats entirely—just follow these guidelines:

  • Enjoy sweets with meals rather than as standalone snacks
  • Rinse your mouth with water after eating sugary or acidic foods
  • Wait 30 minutes after eating before brushing to avoid damaging softened enamel
  • Don’t use your teeth as tools to crack nuts or open packages
  • Maintain your regular brushing and flossing routine

If you’re overdue for a checkup or need to schedule a professional cleaning after the holiday season, Dr. Nicole Hall and the team at Sweet Tooth Dental are here to help. Give us a call at 602-265-6456 to book your appointment and start the new year with a healthy, beautiful smile!