The year is about to end, but one of the enjoyable events is still to be celebrated. Yes, it’s Christmas! Christmas is such a wonderful time of year for spreading love and joy, and that kindness should include a little extra love and kindness for our mouth. Our teeth work overtime during the holidays and it is easy to lose track of your oral health due to the distractions of the holiday season.
Brush frequently –
Don’t take a break from brushing your teeth, even for a single day. You should brush twice a day and floss at least once. You could even add an extra brushing session, if you’ve really gone to town on the gingerbread.
Drink water-
Staying hydrated can help keep you healthy and your sweet tooth at bay. It can also help wash away sugar from your mouth and prevent giving the bacteria energy to feed off.
Set a limit –
When it comes to our teeth, it’s not only about how much sugar you eat, it’s how often you have it. Constant munching can leave you with a toothless grin, so if we do need a sugar fix, keep it to mealtimes and give your mouth a break.
Festive Spirits & Wines –
Most alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages are acidic that soften the surface of your teeth and weaken your enamel. It’s a great idea to consume these beverages with a straw to protect your teeth.
Indulge occasionally –
As we said, Christmas time only comes once a year, so we say go ahead and indulge in your favorite treats, but in moderation – just like any other time of the year. This way, you’ll limit the amount of times your teeth are exposed to sugar.
Fill up on fruit –
Instead of piling on sugary desserts at your holiday meals, turn to fruit instead. If you’re having a big dinner or party, rather than prepping a number of cakes and pies, try sticking to one sweet dessert and then prep a big fruit plate. Fruits are filling, keeps you energetic and also helps with better digestion.
Be careful with candy –
Hard candy is tasty and readily available at the holidays from candy canes to peppermints, but it can crack your teeth if you bite down wrong. If you do have to eat candies, instead of biting, let them dissolve in your mouth.
Dive into veggies –
Skip the trays of Christmas cookies and brownies and instead fill your plate with raw, crunchy vegetables. They clean teeth while you chew, as they scrape plaque off the surface, stimulate saliva flow and contain helpful vitamins that help combat gum disease.
Despite the joy that comes with the holiday season, keep your smile healthy and shining and give your teeth the care they deserve this year. At Signature Smilez Family Dental our expert team would be honoured to answer your questions and provide amazing, safe, and long lasting care for you.