You might see a couple of extra pounds when stepping on the scale after the holidays, but a few extra inches to your waistline isn’t the only concern. The holidays can also be bad news for your smile. You don’t have to miss out on the festivities to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Here are 6 tips to enjoy the season without ruining your teeth.
1. Limit Sugars and Starches
You’ll be surrounded by many meals and treats that will make your mouth water. However, stuffing, cookies, and biscuits contain a lot of sugars and starches, which feed cavity-causing bacteria. Although it is only a few weeks of indulging, frequently consuming starches and sugars will erode your enamel slowly. Once your enamel has been lost, it is gone for good.
2. Avoid Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks are a triple whammy for your smile. They are acidic, sugary, and cause dehydration. The acidity and bacteria levels will be at an all-time high when combined with a dry mouth. Not to mention, if you drink red wine or other dark alcohol, it can stain your teeth. No amount of brushing can reverse tooth discoloration.
3. Brush After Every Meal
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice daily. If you’re snacking more often, brush your teeth after every meal. Create an oral hygiene kit with travel-size dental products to make it easy to keep your mouth clean, even when you’re not at home.
4. Don’t Forget to Floss
Daily flossing is more important than ever before because your toothbrush can’t reach everywhere in your mouth, allowing plaque to build up. Plaque can turn to calculus in just 4 to 8 hours, increasing your risk of gum disease. You can keep your mouth and body healthy by flossing every day.
5. Drink More Water
Life gets busier during the holidays, which means it’s easy to get dehydrated, affecting your general wellness and dental health. Commit to drinking at least eight 8-oz glasses of H2O daily to stay hydrated for adequate saliva production. Every sip will also rinse your teeth to keep your mouth clean between brushing and flossing.
6. Schedule a Cleaning and Checkup
Although the next few weeks will be busy, don’t forget to schedule your semi-annual cleaning and checkup. Your dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth to ensure they look their best. Your dentist will examine your mouth to look for any concerns that may turn into a dental emergency during the holidays.
You can spend more time focusing on the festivities of the season by supporting a healthy mouth and body.
About Dr. Ramandeep Badhan
Dr. Badhan studied dentistry in India before earning his dental degree at the New York University School of Dentistry. He is a lifelong learner and has regularly continued his education in various specialties, like endodontics, dental implants, and full mouth reconstruction. Request an appointment through his website or call (805) 395-4823.