Thanksgiving is here and along with celebrating all that we are thankful for this day also 
heralds the holiday season to come. So, being in the being in the holiday spirit this post is dedicated to The Worst Foods to Eat… From a Dental Perspective. I’ve compiled a list of the top 5 worst holiday foods for dental restorations and overall dental health.
- Popcorn balls: This sticky-popcorn and caramel concoction although delightful to eat will leave you with every nook and cranny of your dentition filled with sugary caramel and popcorn kernel-y goodness. Definitely one to avoid if possible, if not then just make sure you have your toothbrush and floss handy for afterwards.
- Un-shelled Nuts: The nuts are not exactly the bad part of this holiday treat… its the shells. If you are going to partake of shelled nuts, take the safe route and use nutcrackers and not your teeth. I can’t count how many fractured crowns and chipped teeth I see from chomping on a shelled nut. And who wants a big gaping hole staring back at you in your holiday photos!
- Hard Nougat or Torrone: Some may not be familiar with this type of candy, but growing up in my family around Christmas time we would get an enormous block of almond hard nougat. This candy is a dangerous treat, It’s dental danger is two fold. First its incredibly hard and chewy exterior can be dangerous to your teeth if you decide to attempt bit a hunk off. And secondly, as you begin to chew it and it starts to soften and melt this tasty candy become a big sticky chewy mess that clings relentlessly to every surface of your teeth. So eat with care! And, on that note I’d like to give a faithful nod to all types of caramels, toffee’s and a holiday favorite Candy Canes.
- Pecan Pie: This pie isn’t notorious for breaking teeth, however it is literally a caramel and nut pie. So, if you plan on indulging this Thanksgiving and Holiday season remember to brush afterwards. The sticky texture and corn syrup and sugar filling are bona fide cavity creators.
- Cranberry Sauce: This seemingly innocent concoction is a sweet, sugary and teeth staining mess. Although it can top off a fantastic Thanksgiving meal I would probably avoid it if you’ve just whitened your teeth.
