It’s been almost a full week since Thanksgiving, but as you know, the holiday season is far from over. With Christmas and New Year’s just around the corner, we’re entering a time of almost nonstop holiday goodies and parties. And while we don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, we also don’t want you to forget about your smile.

Treats like candy canes, cookies, and pie are all filled with sugar, which fuels the transformation of bacteria in plaque. So, while we want you to enjoy everything the season has to offer, consider these two suggestions.

First, keep on brushing and flossing like you normally would. By brushing twice a day for at least two minutes, flossing thoroughly, and spending a few minutes gargling a quality mouthwash, you’re doing your part to keep bacteria and plaque from building up on your teeth and gums.

Second, follow up your meals with gum or mints sweetened with xylitol. Even though it’s a natural sugar, xylitol can help you fight cavities by improving your mouth’s pH level and making it harder for bacteria and plaque to stick to your teeth.

Want to learn more about how xylitol can benefit your smile? Click here.

And if you’d like to know what else you can do this holiday season to protect your smile, give our Beachwood office a call. Dr. Hornstein can make a few helpful suggestions, in addition to checking your smile for signs of tooth decay and gum disease—common problems that can be easily treated when found early.

Give us a call today. We serve patients from Cleveland, Solon, Shaker Heights, Pepper Pike, and surrounding areas.