The holidays are meant for your family and friends, not to be spent with your dentist in Manchester. After tirelessly preparing your house to get your family in the holiday spirit, you’re finally ready to start enjoying the season. The last thing on your mind is your dental health. Many people neglect their mouths during this busy time-of-year, which could result in a developing oral problem. For a joyous and stress-free season, read on for five holiday dental health tips.
Prioritize Your Dental Hygiene Routine
When you wake up in the morning, the first task you’re thinking about getting done is the next one on your lengthy to-do list, not brushing and flossing your mouth. If you’re not diligent about maintaining your dental hygiene routine, it can cause serious problems for your teeth and gums. Harmful oral bacteria and tartar can accumulate, causing the formation of cavities and gum disease that can have uncomfortable effects and ruin your holiday joy. That’s why it’s important to set reminders to make time for brushing and flossing.
Avoid Sticky and Chewy Foods
If you’re a sucker for holiday sweets, there’s probably not a chance that you’re going to cut them out in order to prevent cavities from forming. There are some other steps you could take to make this happen, though. When it comes to picking your sweets and snacks, try to avoid foods that will adhere to your teeth and expose them to sugar and carbohydrates for longer periods of time. This can cause harmful oral bacteria to accumulate and stick around for longer than normal. If you do indulge in chewy and sticky foods, be sure to drink plenty of water and brush regularly.
Limit Your Consumption of Alcohol
There’s nothing like enjoying a nice glass of eggnog, brandy, or spiked hot chocolate to warm you up during the holidays. However, these can cause dry mouth and often contain high amounts of sugar that can contribute to dental decay. To keep this from happening, drink plenty of water alongside your alcoholic beverages to rinse your mouth of harmful oral bacteria, sugar, and lingering debris.
Visit Your Dentist Before the Celebrations Begin
A great way to make sure you won’t be spending your holidays with your dentist in Manchester is to visit them before you begin your celebrations. During your checkup and cleaning, your professional will take care of any small issues before they have a chance to become more severe and cause you discomfort while you’re shopping for presents or enjoying some hot apple cider by the fire.
Choose Tooth-Healthy Snacks
If you get a few extra days off of work, you may be tempted to snack more often. Instead of eating foods that can harm your teeth and gums, try substituting ones that are actually good for them. Fibrous or watery vegetables like celery, cucumbers, and carrots can help clear your gumline of plaque and encourage saliva production to keep your mouth healthy.
With these five holiday oral health tips in your back pocket, you’ll be able to enjoy the season without worrying about experiencing any oral discomfort or pain. Get the most out of this joyous time of year by looking after your teeth and gums!
About the Author
Dr. Sara Curcio has always been passionate about listening to her patients and building long-lasting relationships centered around caring for their overall wellbeing. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association and Spear Education. She strives to sharpen her skills and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in her field so she can provide the best possible treatments to her patients. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning, visit South Windsor Dental’s website or call 860-644-2476.