The holiday season is right around the corner, which means making new memories with friends and family. Although it’s a great time to gather with your loved ones, you might have heard the holidays are bad for your teeth. You don’t have to skip family dinners to protect your smile. While the season can mean bad news for your teeth and gums, you can follow a few simple oral health tips to safeguard your smile.
Are the Holidays Bad for Your Teeth?
The holidays can contribute to common dental issues, like tooth decay and gum disease. There is evidence supporting an increase in preventable oral health problems from Halloween to the New Year. The holidays don’t have to leave a lasting mark on your smile by keeping your dental health a priority using a few tips.
1. Limit Snacking Throughout the Day
Thanksgiving and Christmas wouldn’t be the same without seasonal meals and sweet treats. It can be difficult to resist tasty snacks, like cookies and pie, but you want to limit your snacking, or the holidays can harm your smile. The more often you eat, the more frequently your teeth are exposed to cavity-causing bacteria. It also doesn’t give your saliva enough time to clean your teeth, so you’ll want to keep your snacking to a minimum.
2. Skip the Sweet Treats
While you’ll be surrounded by a variety of baked goodies, it’s better to choose healthier alternatives. Your smile and waistline will appreciate it if you skip sugary foods. Instead, choose plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Low-fat cheese is also a great snack that promotes strong, healthy teeth.
3. Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss
Life can get busy during the holidays. It is easy to deviate from your normal routines, especially if you are traveling. It may not seem like a big deal if you skip flossing for a few days or forget to brush your teeth before bed, but improper oral hygiene habits can quickly affect your dental health. No matter how busy your schedule, commit to brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing every night.
4. Don’t Skip Your Cleaning and Checkup
A dental emergency is a great way to ruin the holidays, but you can avoid an unplanned trip to the dentist by scheduling your routine cleaning and checkup. Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar while also monitoring the health of your teeth and gums to ensure you don’t have any untreated dental problems hiding in your mouth.
If you’re not proactive about your oral health, the holidays can be bad for your teeth. You can protect your smile by keeping your teeth and gums a priority.
About Dr. Carol Morgan
Dr. Morgan earned her dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry before earning her certificate in Advanced General Dentistry. She has completed extensive training at many esteemed institutes to provide superior services. If it is time for your next cleaning and checkup, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.