It’s important to maintain great dental health all year round, but for many people, slipping a bit in the dental hygiene department is all too tempting during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. However, if you want to make sure that you improve your smile this holiday season, you’ll need to stay on top of the holidays and make your dental health a priority. The following are 5 ways you can improve your smile this holiday season.
Watch your sugar and acidic food intake
The holidays are notorious for being filled with lots of sugar and acid rich foods—which are delicious but unfortunately not the best thing for your teeth. During the holiday season, make sure that you are watching how much sugary and acidic food that you consume; if you eat too much of it, your teeth will be the ones that suffer as a result. If you can, use a straw to limit the contact between your teeth and the food or drink.
Rinse your mouth out after consuming sugary food or drinks
You don’t have to avoid sugary holiday treats altogether, but if you want to reduce the amount of damage that they do to your teeth, you’ll need to rinse your mouth out after consuming them. Don’t brush your teeth right after consuming something sugary (like a mouthful of chewy Christmas candy)—instead, rinse with water to get some of the sugar particles off your teeth.
Floss every night before bed
Flossing is important all year round, but it’s especially important during the holiday season when you’re more likely to eat or drink something that will do lots of damage if particles are left between your teeth overnight. Make sure that you’re flossing every night before bed, and use proper flossing technique so that the food particles are removed as fully as possible. If you have dental bridges or other dental work, don’t forget to floss underneath and around them as well.
Don’t munch on candy canes
Of all the holiday treats that you’ll encounter during this holiday season, candy canes are the ones that will give your dentist the biggest pause. Candy canes have high sugar content and due to how they are typically consumed—by sucking and/or chewing—they can really do a number on your teeth. If you must indulge in a candy cane this holiday season, make sure you suck on it in one session; never chew a candy cane, and don’t “drag out” finishing your candy cane as this merely prolongs your teeth’s exposure.
Don’t forget to brush
Like flossing, brushing is important to do all year round—but it’s especially important during the holiday season when your teeth are exposed to all sorts of holiday goodies that are delicious to the taste buds and usually terrible to the teeth. Make sure that you brush at least twice a day, and use proper brushing technique every time.
Remember, the holidays are a time of delicious treats and fun; but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your dental health this upcoming holiday season.
To learn more about how to improve and protect your smile this holiday season, speak with a Beachwood dental professional today.