Dr. Scott Merritt

3 Foods to Limit This Holiday Season

BY SCOTT V. MERRITT, DMD

It’s that magical time of the year — the holiday season! With celebrations in full swing, we indulge in a feast of delicious foods. But, don’t forget about your teeth during this festive season.

Did you know that some of our favorite seasonal foods can impact our pearly whites? Harmful bacteria in our mouths thrive on sugar, found in many holiday staples, which promotes plaque buildup and cavities. Exposing teeth to sticky, gooey or chewy foods for a long period of time also can lead to tooth decay. In addition, acids from certain foods can weaken tooth enamel.

Here are three popular holiday foods and drinks that can put your oral health at risk. 1. Candy canes. Although candy canes are a traditional symbol of Christmas, they are a sugar-loaded treat. As you suck on this hard candy, sugar continually coats your teeth, leading to dental problems. 2. Baked goods. This time of year, cookies, pies and cakes are the centerpieces of dessert tables. These treats are high in both starch and sugar content, feeding the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. Enjoy sweets without wreaking havoc on your smile. Moderation is the key. 3. Alcoholic beverages. Consuming alcohol dehydrates your mouth, increasing your risk of cavity development. Cocktails tend to be high in sugar, and red wine stains teeth. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout your festivities.

Safeguard your smile this holiday season. Opt for smilefriendly options, such as cheese, vegetable trays and meat. Cheese is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin K, both of which are great for tooth enamel. Vegetables, such as carrots and celery, help clean teeth and freshen your breath. Meats are high in protein, which helps keep you feeling full longer, and prevents you from excessive snacking.

Create wonderful memories with your family and friends on Christmas and New Year’s without worrying about your teeth. Maintain good oral hygiene care to keep your smile merry and bright, and ensure it stays in tiptop shape all season long.

Dr. Scott Merritt founded BridgeMill Dentistry in 2002. The office is located on Sixes Road between Ridge and Bells Ferry roads.

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Photo courtesy of Holiday Lights of Hope.

Light Displays to Brighten Your Holidays

Are you looking for the biggest and brightest light displays this season? Pack the car with family and friends, put on your favorite holiday music, and have a de-light-ful time visiting twinkling displays you can walk or drive through.

Through Dec. 23

Holiday Lights of Hope opens nightly at 6 p.m. at Hobgood Park in Woodstock. The event features a huge walk-through Christmas light display with more than 2 million lights. Cost is $10 per person. Kids ages 14 and younger admitted free. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. No pets allowed. https:// bit.ly/3GspZJM. For the most up-to-date information regarding weather closures, visit the Holiday Lights of Hope Facebook page.

Visit Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 4-9 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 10 (and every night Dec. 15-23), at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee. Enjoy a winter walk through thousands of lights and exhibits. There will be Christmas music, arts and crafts vendors, holiday food and pictures with Santa. https://bit.ly/3GA0I0C This year marks the final season for Lane Lights at 770 Fox Hollow Parkway, Marietta. The free light display runs nightly, 6-10 p.m., weather permitting. www.facebook.com/LaneLights Through Dec. 30

Visit Pettit Creek Farms In Cartersville for A Country Christmas celebration, beginning at 6 p.m. TuesdaysSundays. Take a hayride ($10 per person) or drive through more than a mile of Christmas lights ($30 per car). Activities include visiting Santa and his reindeer, a Nativity scene and petting zoo, Christmas trees and more. https://pettitcreekfarms.com/a-country-christmas-final Through Dec. 31

Lights of LIFE is open nightly, rain or shine. The display opens at dark and runs until 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta. Cost is $10 per car/truck; buses are $20. Fees for individual goods and services are at the discretion of the vendors. www.life.edu/lights-of-life

Riley’s Rockin’ Christmas Lights features more than 60,000 LED lights synchronized to nearly an hour of holiday music at 2008 Palladium Drive, Kennesaw. Donations are accepted in the red Santa’s Letters collection box, to benefit the Children’s Burn Foundation. The show is on a varied schedule. For dates and times, visit www.facebook.com/RRXmas.

Light Up the Holidays at Barnsley Resort visitors (including those who are not staying overnight) are welcome to view more than 1 million lights and festive decor in the historic 1800s manor house ruins, surrounding gardens and English-style village. There is a small fee for self-guided tours at 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville. www.barnsleyresort.com

Photo courtesy of Holiday Lights at Veterans Park.

Holiday Lights at Veterans Park opens nightly at 6 p.m. Enjoy a 2-mile drive through the Christmas light show. Admission is $20 per car. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.facebook.com/HolidaylightsatVeterans.

The annual Smoot Christmas Lights for Lupus display runs 5:30-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 5:3011 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The family decorates their home, 3699 Autumn View Drive, Acworth, with a variety of lights and fixtures that are synchronized to music. Free hot chocolate and cookies are offered, 6-8 p.m. Saturdays, and all collected donations go to the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter. The Holly Springs Light Show provides uplifting holiday entertainment nightly, 6-11 p.m. at First Baptist Holly Springs. It is free to attend, but donations are greatly appreciated at the clearly marked boxes. https://www.facebook.com/hollyspringslightsshow

Dec. 10-11

Drive through a live Nativity scene and Christmas lights display, 7-8:30 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church in Jasper. Everyone is invited to this free display. https://bit.ly/3whVGkD

Through Jan. 1

Lights of Joy, the largest residential Christmas light display in Georgia, has more than 1 million lights. Open nightly, 6-11 p.m. at 1510 Ben King Road NW, Kennesaw. Park at Influencers Church across the street, walk to see the lights in this free display and enjoy sections synchronized to Christmas music. No pets allowed. www.lightsofjoy.net Drive through Reindeer Road, open nightly, 6-10 p.m. at 250 Cobb Parkway N., Marietta. Whiz through mountainous terrain, traverse glacial peaks, explore northern ice caves and make your way through the northern forests to the heart of it all — Santa’s Workshop — the world’s largest animated toy shop. https://bit.ly/2ZtC5C4

The Hrockin Hranicky Christmas Light Show is 6-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 3848 Rivers Run Trace NW, Acworth. The show is free, but there is a donation box for Angels Among Us Pet Rescue. (Look for the mailbox attached to the Snoopy doghouse.) www.hrockinhranickychristmaslights.com Celebrate the season with Stone Mountain Christmas, on select days, at 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. Millions of lights, Christmas shows, a parade featuring Santa Claus and more create a night to remember. Don’t miss the scenic railroad, journey through the musical frosted forest and the world’s largest Christmas lights show. www.stonemountainpark.com Visit Holiday In the Park select dates at Six Flags Over Georgia. Millions of lights and dozens of Christmas trees create a magical atmosphere during the holiday season. This holiday classic includes luminous lights, festive foods, shows, and, of course, Santa! https://bit.ly/3nEWFal

The Smoot Family’s annual Lights for Lupus display benefits the Lupus Foundation of America, Georgia Chapter. Through Jan. 2

Fantasy in Lights celebrates 30 years at Callaway Gardens, 17800 Highway 27, Pine Mountain. New this year is a scene on the lake and the Callaway Christmas village. Walk and drive through 10 million twinkling lights and 2,500 acres of Christmas cheer. Named one of National Geographic’s Top 10 Light Displays in the World. www.callawaygardens.com

Through Jan. 6

The Fox Family Christmas Light Display runs nightly, 6-10 p.m. at 2994 Clary Hill Court, Roswell. The light show features thousands of lights, music and animated features like a skating pond. Donations will be accepted for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. www.facebook.com/Foxfamilylights

Through Jan. 14

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights features blooming bulbs, a radiant rainforest, poinsettia tree and more at Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. A tunnel of light, the radiant ice goddess and the glittering galaxy will embrace visitors in enchanting light. Timed tickets are available online. www.atlantabg.org

Through Jan. 15

Illuminights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival

brings a one-of-a-kind holiday light experience to Zoo Atlanta, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Stroll through the zoo after dark to see more than 80 nature-inspired lanterns. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for ages 3-11. https://zooatlanta.org/event/illuminights

Through Jan. 16

Stroll through Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular, nightly at 5 p.m. through Jan. 4 then weekends only through Jan. 16, at Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Gainesville. All ages will enjoy the magical walk through a lighting extravaganza with festive seasonal music. Then, stop at License to Chill Snow Island, with one of the fastest snow rides in North America, ice skating, a snow play area, carnival rides and more. www.lanierislands.com