6 Holiday Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy This Season

The holiday season is best spent with people you love. Don’t let aching, damaged, or sensitive teeth keep you from making wonderful memories.

Visiting the dentist might not be a priority this time, so it’s all the more crucial to care for your mouth properly. It may not be as simple with the tons of activities (and sweets) around, so here are tips to help keep your teeth healthy.

Use appropriate tools for cutting. Your teeth aren’t the right tools for cutting packages, tearing tapes, cracking nuts, and opening bottles. This can only result in cracked, chipped, or fractured teeth. It can also dislodge dental restorations, such as veneers, and exacerbate sensitive teeth. While it may seem more convenient to use your teeth when you’re in a hurry, still do your best to use the proper tools instead. Keep scissors, cutters, and nut-crackers easily accessible, so you never have to spend ages looking for them.
Avoid grazing throughout the day. It’s hard to resist sweets, especially when they’re free! But if at all possible, indulge during mealtimes and stash them away once you're done eating. The excess saliva in your mouth will help prevent the sweets from sticking on your teeth for an extended period.
Eat sweets sparingly. Chewy, sugary, and sticky sweets can cling to the tooth and existing oral appliances, such as braces. They can be tough to remove! If you let them stay for long in the mouth, they’ll combine with harmful bacteria and produce acids that beat the tooth enamel down. By taking sweets along with your meals and brushing regularly, you help reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Snack on fruits and vegetables. Try to lessen the intake of cookies, candies, and other sweets. Opt for nutritious snacks, such as apples and carrots, instead. Apples and carrots are good for the teeth. They help stimulate the flow of saliva and also strengthen the enamel. Though not a fruit or leafy green, cheese is also a tooth-friendly snack, especially if you’re having alcoholic beverages. It helps neutralize acids in the mouth and is loaded with calcium too.
Don’t forget to brush. It might sound like a chore when your plate is full for the holidays. But still, don’t forget to brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. Grab your floss too to get rid of the turkey that’s stuck between your teeth. Don’t try to use anything sharp or improvised to remove debris on your teeth as this can only lead to teeth and gum injuries.
Hydrate with water. Keep your energy flowing for the busy season. If you must hydrate, grab some water. Water is risk-free for your teeth. It helps prevent dry mouth and bad breath. It also doesn't leave any harmful residue or debris. If you must grab some wine or sugary beverages, rinse your mouth with plain water. It’ll help prevent the pigmented and acidic substance from settling on your teeth.

Keep Your Smile Holiday-Ready with Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Your oral health also deserves your love and attention this holiday season. While we want to see you in our practice, we’d be happier to know that you’re not enduring any dental issue at this time. From all of us here in our dental office, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday! See you at your next dental visit in the coming New Year!