What’s your favorite holiday treat? For many, the holidays are the best time of year because of all of the amazing sweets and treats that come with them. Whether you’re with family, friends, or even at work, it seems like seasonal snacks are around every corner. These snacks can do damage to your teeth if you’re not careful, but there are some steps you can take to protect your smile! Read on to learn some healthy holiday tips from your dentist in Hamden to keep your grin pearly white.
Tip #1: Counteract Sugar with Mouth-Healthy Treats
Holiday sweets are unavoidable, but you can limit your indulgence and counteract it with healthy foods. Try eating nuts, cheeses, and gingerbread instead of caramel and sugar cookies. Caramel can be especially damaging to your teeth because it’s sticky and stays in your mouth for longer periods of time. This gives sugar the chance it needs to cling onto your teeth and eventually cause decay.
Also, a fun fact about cheese, it actually leaves a waxy coating on your teeth that can prevent surface staining from drinking wine or dark beverages. So, when you’re at your next holiday party, hit the snack tray before the bar!
Tip #2: Don’t Skip Your Routine
Traveling for the holidays is almost inevitable, and it can throw off even the most perfect oral health routines. To take care of your smile while on the go, pack a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss inside your travel bag or purse. That way, you can maintain oral health no matter where you are. Additionally, be sure to see your dentist for a routine checkup and cleaning once the holiday chaos settles down to make sure you got through the season cavity-free.
Tip #3: Drink Water
Water is an unsung hero, especially around the holidays. Drinking water throughout the day will wash away plaque and debris that linger after seasonal snacks. Plus, most tap water contains fluoride, which is a natural cavity-fighting mineral.
Tip #4: Don’t Use Teeth as Tools
Around the holidays, people tend to get anxious about opening things. Whether it’s a package from family, Christmas day presents, or trying to open a bottle, you may want to turn to your teeth to do the job. This is a big holiday no-no. Leave the nut crackers to the cracking and the scissors to opening packages. Using your teeth as tools can cause serious damage to your pearly whites.
Now that you know some easy tips on how to get through the holiday season with a healthy smile, you can celebrate and enjoy the festivities knowing that you’re taking care of your teeth.
About the Practice
At D’Andrea and Pantera, we have a team of 3 dentists who are dedicated to proving the best care possible. They know the holidays can be a time of heightened sugar intake, which is why they want you to know these tips on how to keep your smile healthy. For any questions, they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (203) 288-0951.
