Healthy Teeth During the Holidays
One of the best things about the holiday season is letting yourself indulge in all of the special treats and goodies while spending quality time with family and friends. Unfortunately, many of these treats can put the health of your teeth and gums at risk. While you enjoy the spirit of the season, don’t forget to continue caring for your oral health!
6 Tips to Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy During the Holidays
1. Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine
With late nights and busy schedules, it might be tempting to head straight to bed and skip brushing and flossing your teeth. Don’t give in to the temptation. The best thing you can do for your teeth and gums during the holidays is to continue practicing good oral hygiene.
2. Choose Cheese
Cheese neutralizes the tooth-decay-causing acid produced by bacteria in the mouth and that is contained in acidic foods and drinks. Cheese also contains minerals, like calcium, that naturally fortify tooth enamel.
3. Limit Sugar Exposure
Whether you imbibe in a fancy drink or enjoy a sweet dessert, try to limit the time that your teeth are exposed to sugar by sipping faster and avoiding hard candies (like candy canes) that require you to suck on them for long periods of time. Instead, enjoy sugary treats that can be eaten quickly.
4. Careful Around Carbs
Starchy carbohydrates like crackers and bread become sticky in the mouth and cling to the surfaces of the teeth, providing a feast for bacteria and putting your teeth at risk of tooth decay and your gums at risk of gingivitis.
5. Rinse With Water
After eating or drinking, you can protect your teeth and gums by rinsing your mouth out with water. This should flush some of the sugar and acid away from your teeth, protecting them until you’re able to brush and floss.
6. White Is Better Than Red
While both red and white wine are sugary and acidic (neither is good for your teeth), choosing white wine instead of red will at least help your teeth avoid staining from the deep-red pigments found in red wine. As a result, your smile will stay brighter and whiter through the festivities.
Schedule a Post-Holiday Teeth Cleaning in Orange
If you’re concerned about the health of your teeth and gums or are worried that your tendency to indulge your sweet tooth during the holidays could lead to tooth decay or gum disease, we welcome you to schedule a post-holiday dental checkup and teeth cleaning at Dr. Christopher J. Fotinos Dr. Randy A. Rosales Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Orange.
