The holiday season is here again, and that means gift-giving, celebrations, family gatherings, and plenty of other festivities. Food is a huge part of the occasion, and offices, businesses, and households often offer plates of sweet treats for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, many traditional holiday snack items can be sugary and harmful to your dental health. Here’s a brief guide to help you keep your teeth healthy and strong throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Stick with Proper Oral Hygiene
Barring advice from a dentist under extenuating circumstances, it is never a good idea to skip cleaning your teeth. This is especially true during the season when cookies and candy canes are most readily available. A proper oral hygiene routine includes a daily regimen of:
- Brushing: It’s crucial that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes every time. Take care to brush your teeth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and palate to eliminate plaque and food debris. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and short, gentle, circular strokes.
- Flossing: Flossing is just as important to your oral health as brushing because it can eliminate plaque and food debris from areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. Cut off a piece of floss and slide it between two teeth. Move it against either side to clean them before removing the floss and repeating the process in the next space between teeth. Repeat until the whole smile has been treated.
- Antibacterial mouthwash: Rinsing with this stuff can kill more than 99% of the germs that cause oral infections and leave your mouth with a minty fresh feeling.
Pack a Dental Hygiene Kit
You never know when you’ll need to brush your teeth after an unscheduled snacking session. Packing a dental health kit that you can carry in your purse, bag, or car can provide you with hygiene when you’re on the go. Some items to include might be travel toothpaste, a small toothbrush, and a pack of dental floss.
Skip the Sugary Beverages
Many holiday gatherings involve drinks that can be high in sugar. Drinking sodas, hot chocolate, eggnog, and the like can be harsh on your teeth because these drinks can provide harmful oral bacteria with the fuel they need to cause cavities and gum disease. Enjoy these beverages in moderation alongside a tall glass of water to help wash their residue away. Be sure to practice excellent oral hygiene to mitigate the damage they can do.
The holidays are times to enjoy the company of others and make merry with delicious foods and drinks. By keeping these tips in mind, you can make sure your smile stays in great shape through New Year’s Eve and beyond.
About the Practice
Jupiter Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry delivers personalized dental care to the community of Jupiter, FL. Led by Drs. Shane and Amiee Vaughn, the staff provides tailored oral health services in a warm and welcoming environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on caring for your oral health during the holidays, contact the office online or dial (561) 559-8942.