It may seem hard to believe but the holidays are upon us, as are multiple sweet, tempting treats that can wreak havoc on your healthy smile. The good news is, there are ways to prevent potential damage when you increase your intake of cavity-causing foods. Read more to learn how you can keep your teeth healthy:
- Drink water – While saliva does a great job of naturally flushing bacteria out of your mouth, it always benefits from a little extra help. Water can aid in washing away damaging sugars that sit on your teeth. Drinking a lot of water is also beneficial to overall health as it helps with hydration and keeping your breath smelling fresher.
- Don’t use your teeth as a tool – If you’d like to crack open a fresh chestnut that’s roasting by an open fire, use a nutcracker and not your teeth! The same goes for hard-to-open food packages and other foods in shells. Your teeth are sensitive and if utilized the wrong way, they can crack or chip. Be smart and reach for the scissors, can opener, and other kitchen tools that help you open tightly closed items you want to enjoy during the holidays.
- Have a routine – With extra time off comes more rest, but do not forget to brush twice daily and floss. When you indulge more, you may be increasing your risk for cavities, so keeping your brushing and flossing routine the same as a normal day, will help you stave off any openings for bacteria to lead to decay.
- Be prepared - If you will be at someone else’s home for a long period during the holidays, don’t forget to pack your floss, antibacterial mouthwash, toothbrush, and toothpaste. Since you will be traveling, it’s likely your toothbrush may not have the same cozy spot as it does in your own home. Keep your toothbrush sanitized by swishing it into some antibacterial mouthwash, like Listerine for 30 seconds. If you don’t have access to mouthwash, use two teaspoons of baking soda mixed with one cup of water instead. You can also soak it in white vinegar once per week.
- Have fun – Everything is okay in moderation. If you use the techniques above, you should make it out of the holidays just fine, but if you do run into an emergency, ask us for a reference whom you can contact in the city you will be visiting.
Make sure you take this holiday season to spend time with your family, unwind and rejuvenate! Sending you and your families the warmest holiday wishes and prayers for a healthy new year!
Belle Meade Dental serves patients in Flowood, Brandon, and the surrounding areas of Rankin County. We offer same-day crowns, cosmetic and restorative procedures, cleaning and prevention services, dental implants, and tooth extraction. At Belle Meade Dental, we aim to provide the ultimate patient experience with the highest level of quality care.