During the holidays, you’ll probably find yourself spending more time with your family and friends during numerous special occasions. Naturally, you can expect plenty of holiday foods and drinks during these celebrations. But before you get too carried away in treating yourself, it’s important to make sure that you’re staying mindful about your dental hygiene. After all, you want your natural teeth and dental crowns to stay strong and beautiful well past New Year’s! Below you’ll find 4 tips from a dentist in Kittanning that will help keep your smile safe while you’re savoring the season.
1. Always Maintain Your Daily Dental Routine
When you’re tired after traveling to a relative’s house or getting back later after a party, you may be tempted to just to skip your brushing and flossing routine. Never make this mistake! If you don’t clean your teeth, you’ll be giving the harmful bacteria and acids in your mouth an entire night to wreak havoc, making it all the more likely that you’ll develop a cavity before the holidays are over. Don’t let a holiday season filled with sugary treats be the time when you go lax on your oral care; always make time for at least two brushing and flossing sessions every day.
2. Be Careful Around Sugar
From pumpkin pie to gingerbread cookies, the holidays are a time for quite a few desserts. You need to pay close attention to how often you’re enjoying sweets; once in a while is fine, but you shouldn’t be snacking on them throughout the day. If you need something between meals, try healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and cheese.
3. Make Sure You Drink Plenty of Water
A good way to limit the buildup of sugar in your mouth is to sip water at regular intervals. This will wash away the sugar in your mouth before bacteria have a chance to feed on it, and it will help reset your pH balance after drinking something acidic. If you’re looking for a more festive option, you can try sparkling water; it doesn’t contain any sugars, so they’re a healthier alternative to sodas and other sugary beverages.
4. Stay Away from Certain Foods
Sticky sweets tend to remain in the mouth and give oral bacteria plenty of time to inflict damage. Hard candies may break your teeth or your restorations if you try to chew them. Pay close attention to what you’re putting in your mouth, and try to stay away from riskier foods as much as possible.
If you haven’t had two dental checkups this year, now would be a good time to see your dentist for a cleaning as well as advice for getting through the holidays with your oral health intact. Don’t let the fun of the season end due to a dental emergency!
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller graduated from the University of Pittsbrugh School of Dental Medicine in 1980, and he completed the six levels of continuing education offered at the LD Pankey Institute in Miami. He hopes all of his patients have happy and healthy holiday seasons. However, if you have a concern about your dental health, you can get in touch with him through his website or by calling (724) 543-4948.