The Challenge of the Holidays
By Eric Seidel, DMD
I will be the first to admit that I leave the holidays slightly heavier than I was when they started. Making good choices that impact our bodies and our mouths is not easy in America in 2015, especially during this time of year. However, if we just indulged around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter and ate in moderation the rest of the year, we would all be in great shape, no pun intended. As I visit our local convenience stores, I cannot help but notice how they are no longer places to purchase just gas, maybe a gallon of milk or loaf of bread if you were running low, or a cup of coffee. Today, gas and small groceries are often secondary to the myriad of other things that are for sale. There are entire wall refrigerators dedicated to the sale of sodas, teas, energy drinks and other products that are not only poor health choices but are also terrible for our teeth. I've even seen "soda caves" in certain locations--whole walk-in refrigerators dedicated entirely to soda. Checkout aisles are lined with tempting dessert and snack options. It is a test of a person’s willpower to walk out with only those items that were originally intended to be purchased.
How do we navigate these temptations that constantly surround us and are often the most inexpensive options available? Any size fountain drink for $.99, super-size this, mega-size that....it truly is not easy. We are encouraged and oftentimes appear to be rewarded for getting something that is many more servings than we need. It is even difficult to buy a personal size bag of chips that is meant for one person. When you turn the package over and read the back as I did recently, it said 3.5 servings per bag. How many of us really do not finish the bag?! Imagine how many servings those huge drinks contain! Having young children of my own, I am faced with the task of trying to educate them to make good nutritional decisions that we know will help them for a lifetime. It's no easy task. When you look at the cost to our overall long-term health, however, these cheap, tempting options will end up costing us much more in the long run.
My father remains an inspiration in many facets of my life. He has amazing self-control, and when he puts his mind to something, he always carries through. He worked in elementary education for 30+ years and said their lunchroom was always filled with cookies, cakes, pies and more. One day, he did what few people can and decided that he was no longer going to have these things. I am not suggesting that this will not work, but it is not the path most people choose. As I have written previously, it is the frequency with which we expose our teeth to sugary substances that makes such a difference in the long-term health of our mouths. Every time we take a sip of soda or a bite of something containing sugars, our mouth stays acidic for the next 30-40 minutes. It is during this time that our enamel is weakening. Our saliva can and will neutralize our mouths, but it is virtually impossible if we are sipping or snacking all day. My challenge and advice for my patients is to treat anything sugary, such as sodas, teas, coffees, or energy drinks, as desserts. You may feel guilty about starting the morning with a large slice of cake, but you do not think twice about the large specialty coffee or soda. If we redefine what, when and how often we are consuming these products and categorize them for what they should be, "sometimes foods" as my kids call them, we could separate ourselves from these addictive and destructive habits that are wreaking such havoc on our dental and overall health. As an aside, we do not allow our children to drink any soda, and I would encourage any new parents to do the same from day one. They will not miss what they have never had, and they will not even ask, especially if they do not see you drinking it. For the majority of adults who are already addicted to the sugar- and caffeine-high that we get from these products, at least pay attention to how much and how often you consume them and look at them as if they were donuts or some other "sometime" snack. It will have a major positive impact on your mouth and your body! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Eric Seidel, D.M.D. is co-owner and general dentist at Gettysburg Dental Associates and an Invisalign preferred provider.
Gettysburg Dental Associates
Eric Seidel, DMD | Cleveland Null, DDS
www.GettysburgDentalAssociates.com
Just Kids at Gettysburg Dental Associates
Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS | Kristin Russo, DMD
www.JustKidsGettysburg.com
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: (717) 334-8193
Fax: (717) 334-0884
www.gettysburgfamilysmiles.com
