The holiday season is here! It’s a time for family togetherness, celebration, and delicious meals. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when your dental health may worsen. Whether your routine is interrupted by late nights and travel plans or you find yourself indulging in more treats, it may be tricky to keep a healthy smile.
For today’s blog post, let’s review six seasonal dental care tips to help you prepare for holiday festivities.
1. Brush and floss after every meal.
To avoid issues like gum problems, tooth sensitivity, or tooth decay, it’s more important than ever to brush and floss regularly. Thanks to the extra sugar and starches in holiday treats, you’re at greater risk for cavities and plaque build-up. To keep your teeth clean, you should brush for at least two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.
Flossing is also essential for good oral health. It helps to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth and other areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. If you’re on the go a lot, consider carrying a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss in your car or purse.
2. Drink enough water.
You already know that drinking water is important to your overall health, but it also plays a crucial role in a healthy mouth. Water helps to neutralize the acids in your mouth and also washes away stray food particles, both of which can lead to tooth decay.
Better yet, it’s helpful to drink a glass of water instead of sugary drinks like holiday cocktails or soda. These beverages can lead to dry mouth, which increases your chance of developing cavities and bad breath. If you’re at a happy hour or other holiday festivities, it’s smart to alternate between your drink of choice and a glass of water.
3. Eat teeth-healthy foods.
There’s nothing wrong with splurging a bit on holiday goodies. Do your best, though, to balance the treats with teeth-healthy foods like crunchy fruits and vegetables (think apples and carrots) and whole grains.
4. Moderate your intake of sugary treats.
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a candy cane or two during the holiday festivities. However, when it comes to sticky, hard, chewy, gummy, and/or sugary foods, you should eat them in moderation. Try eating them with a meal; this approach reduces the amount of time that the sugar is directly in contact with your teeth. You can also rinse your mouth with water afterwards to remove residue and neutralize acids. If you need a reason to say no, think about the expensive dental filling that you may need in January!
5. Don’t chew ice!
Along those same lines, you should avoid chewing ice too. It may seem like a harmless habit, but it can damage the enamel of your teeth and cause fractures or cracks. If you want something cold, opt for fruit or yogurt instead.
6. Wear a mouthguard for sports and other activities.
If your holiday festivities include an afternoon game of football, a trip to the ice skating rink, or time on the ski slopes, remember that there’s always a chance of injury. To protect your teeth during this competitive fun, wear a custom-fitted mouthguard.
We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for your dental needs during this year’s holiday festivities!
Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like restorative dentistry, dental anxiety, and more.