6 Ways to Have a Cavity Free Holiday
The holiday season is officially upon us! With Christmas carols filling the air and decorations as far as the eye can see, it’s no surprise that we’re finally in the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season, but all that excitement often causes us to slip-up on our dental hygiene routine.
By themselves, a slip-up here and there might not be super dangerous, but when coupled with holiday cakes, cookies, and candies, well… you have a recipe for disaster!
End the season with a cavity-free smile and a fast pass to your dentist’s Nice List by following these 6 easy tips for a healthier holiday.
Watch Out For Sugar
Gingerbread houses, sugar cookies, popcorn strings, and of course peppermint are all staples of the season. And we can’t forget to mention all the hot coco, eggnog, and festive cocktails served at any holiday party. We’ve been dreaming about holiday delights all year long.
You may be licking your lips in anticipation of Christmas meals to come, but your teeth are chattering in fear.
These scrumptious, sugary treats are extremely tasty, but they pose a real threat to your dental health.
The bacteria in your mouth loves sugar just as much as you do, and the copious amount of sugar we eat during the holidays creates the perfect environment for cavities and other dental problems to occur.
B
efore you call us a Grinch. . .
We’re not saying that you should ditch the treats altogether. Treat yourself! But also, make sure to balance everything out with fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.
Remember, Teeth Aren’t Tools
Whether it’s wrapped presents or corked bottles, it seems that the holidays revolve around opening things. Sometimes to get
into what we want, we need to use a bit more force than we should- and what better tool do we have than our teeth? I mean, if they’re perfect for ripping and tearing food after all, they should also be perfect for tearing open a package or two, right?
Wrong.
Your teeth may seem hard and strong, but the enamel protecting them is extremely brittle. They’re designed to chew and break down food, not win a fight against plastic, cork, or a mailer envelope.
Using your teeth as a makeshift bottle opener can cause cracking or breakage. You’ll also be risking damage to your gums and the softer tissues in your mouth.
Skip the inevitable pain by using the real tools: scissors, corkscrews, and bottle openers.
Speaking of corkscrews…
Mind the Wine
There’s nothing wrong with a little wine to celebrate the festivities, but be careful about how much and how often you drink. Drinks with strong pigments like red wine, cranberry juice, or mulled wine can develop stains on the porous surfaces of your teeth.
The acids, natural dyes, and tannins found in these drinks tend to etch themselves into your teeth. Over time, this can result in purple, brown, or dingy grey teeth. Not a good look for photos.
Fortunately, there’s quite a few ways to have your wine and drink it too.
First, brush before you drink, not after. The tannins in wine will try to attach themselves to plaque or anything sticky on your teeth, so starting with a clean slate is a wonderful deterrent.
** Note: After finishing your drink, be sure to wait 20 to 30 minutes before brushing again. Doing so will give the saliva in your mouth enough time to buffer the acids in the wine, reducing the sensitivity of your teeth.
Speaking of buffering acids, be sure to drink water after you drink wine. Drinking seltzer, sparkling, or just plain water will help to loosen any clingy tannins. As an added bonus, it can mediate your alcohol intake!
You should also eat foods like cheese or veggies that are high in fiber. The calcium in cheese will help strengthen your teeth, while the fiber in veggies will help kick-start your saliva production. Savory foods can also act as a barrier to acids in wine.
We’re not saying raid the charcuterie board… but raid the charcuterie board.
Gift Yourself a New Toothbrush
We’re always busy finding gifts for others during the holiday season but take a moment to get yourself something new!
Change up your current hygiene kit by getting new whitening toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash. Add in a brand-new electric toothbrush – or head if you already have one – and you’ve got a recipe for success!
When choosing a new brush be sure to look for soft bristles. They’ll be able to slip into easy-to-miss places that are more difficult to brush.
Stick to Your Routine
We know that it’s easy to slip away from your traditional schedule during the holiday season but do your best to at least brush your teeth twice a day. Spend at least two minutes brushing your teeth to make sure you get rid of all the plaque.
If you have absolutely no way to brush your teeth, chew some sugar free gum to increase saliva and wash away food particles. It’s not a long-term solution, but it’ll do the trick for a night of a party.
Schedule a Post-Holiday Cleaning
The holidays are a hectic time, and even if we follow our hygiene routines there are times we’ll inevitably slip-up.
That’s fine. Life happens, we get it!
Schedule your post-holiday cleaning and checkup with Clocktower Dental. Contact us and we’ll help your teeth stay clean and shiny from day one of 2022.
