Just thinking about the holidays can bring a smile to your face. Time spent with friends and family can make your heart merry. All the delicious cakes, sweets and other holiday treats can make your mouth water, but you should learn to enjoy these foods without sacrificing your oral hygiene. Here are some tips to keep your smile beautiful for the holidays.
- Choose low-sugar foods at the holiday buffet: Fill at least half your plate with fibrous fruits and vegetables. These foods keep the saliva flowing and help in the formation of a mineral defense against tooth decay.
- Try to avoid snacking between meals: Stick to the regular 3 meals a day routine even during the holidays. Frequent snacking or “grazing” exposes your teeth to sugars in the food. The plaque in your mouth can convert this to acid which damages your teeth.
- Make sure you pack your toothbrush and dental floss when travelling during the holidays: The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice during a 24-hour period. Not brushing your teeth for more than 24 hours because you’ve forgotten to carry your toothbrush lets harmful bacteria multiply faster in your mouth, causing bad breath and poor oral hygiene.
- Make sure you get enough sleep: No matter how late the holiday parties run, make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. When you are well rested, you are less likely to make bad eating choices.
- Plan a lot of fun activities: By shifting the focus away from food and drink, you are more likely to protect your teeth. Besides, fun physical activities give you plenty of reasons to stay active and smile.
After the holidays, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist. This will help identify any tooth damage due to possible holiday overindulgences at an early stage when its easily correctable.
Dr. Kaur is a highly experienced dentist with a passion for educating patients about the importance of oral health. She uses state-of-the-art dental procedures and techniques to optimize oral health for all her patients. Her goal is to provide high quality dental care to the community of Lewis Center, Ohio.
