The holidays are upon us again. While we may enjoy time off from work or school, tooth decay doesn’t take a vacation. That’s why you must not ignore your dental health. Instead, you should step up your oral hygiene regimen.
Why? Well, picture this holiday scene: Your house is alive with Christmas chatter and Christmas cheer. The festively decorated table, laden with goodies, is groaning under the weight of the Christmas culinary delights and sugary treats as your mouth waters in anticipation. With so many temptations on the table and so many distractions around us, it is easy to back-slide when it comes to your dental health.
If you’re not careful, holidays foods can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Foods high in carbohydrates, sugars, and starches greatly contribute to the production of plaque acids that attack the tooth enamel. Eventually, these acids can cause tooth enamel to break down, forming a cavity. A good rule of thumb for good dental health is to avoid sugary, syrupy, and fatty foods and drink. Innocent-looking eggnog is not so innocent as it contains loads of sugars, acids, and fats which are harmful to your teeth and your body. Acid-laden citrus fruits and tomato-based sauces can also lead to tooth decay.
And be careful with candies—especially the hard items, and especially if you wear braces or have dentures. Hard candies can crack your teeth if you bite down on them in the wrong way. If you do have to eat candies, instead of biting, let them dissolve in your mouth. Some experts suggest you switch to veggies or create games designed to deflect from all the eating options.
But, face it: you’re going to enjoy some of these holiday treats. So, be extra vigilant and attentive to good oral hygiene. Be certain to brush your teeth after eating sugary foods of any kind, and only eat them in moderation, if at all. Consider brushing and flossing 3x a day during the holidays instead of your usual routine.
At this time of year, many people look forward to the brand-new year and make promises to themselves about how they are going to make it a special year. How about you? Make this the year that you finally get the dental work that you have been putting off and get started on creating that great new smile. If you come to us we will tell you about ways to maintain your dental health.
We will be happy to explain to you in detail the many procedures and treatments which we offer. For example, you will learn which are best suited for your mouth to ensure that 2020 is a good dental health year for you. Contact us and come in to see us soon!
