Another satisfied patient.
One of the biggest reasons why people start the year with a trip to the dentist Is because of the decisions they make over their Holidays : Christmas and New Years’ festivities. So on the 7th day of Christmas, my dentist gave to me 7 detailed strategies to have 0 cavities and a white smile this holiday season!
Remember your oral health routine
A lot of times during the holidays we are so busy and It is easy to forget to brush our teeth before we go to bed, which results in all the germs and plaque that had accumulated throughout the day settling on our teeth overnight leading to gum disease. It’s equally important to brush properly in a gentle circular motion.
Some other guidelines for a great oral health routine include using a fluoride mouthwash, flossing is just as important as brushing, brushing your tongue, drinking extra water, using a fluoride mouthwash, and eating high fiber fruits & vegetables instead of sugary foods.
Create a Cleaning Kit- For traveling over the Holidays
One holiday trend that is fairly common is traveling, many people take their vacation time, and businesses close or have different hours. With all the excitement you will likely be struggling to schedule time for a thorough dental routine.
A cleaning kit that you can take with you for the holidays is quite handy in these scenarios, as mentally packing one will position it as being Important in your mind.
Remember to Drink Water and Limit Alcohol
Water is the best beverage for your oral and overall health, and drinking a glass after every meal can wash out the negative effects of sticky or acidic foods and drinks. Water can also freshen your breath, help digestion, keep your skin looking fresh, blemish-free and it fills you up thus preventing excessive snacking on treats.
Try to avoid coffee, tea, and alcohol (especially red wine) as they can all stain your teeth and harm teeth enamel. If you’re going to have a glass of wine, consider white wine or sugary drinks that aren’t dark like a (Sprite or 7up) over a Coke.
Watch how many unhealthy teeth foods you eat (eat these Instead)
Have you ever heard the expression, everything in moderation? Well, this expression was essentially designed for the holidays because although It’s perfectly fine to enjoy all the delicious delicacies, they are best when combined with crunchy fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and water.
Take note of hard, chewy, gummy, sticky, or sugary foods (candy canes, mint chews, nuts) because they are really hard to get out of your teeth and gums. There are many safer delicious treats that are softer to chew and are equally delicious.
Snack lovers this is for you
The ADA recommends that to reduce the chances of tooth decay from sugary foods over the holidays that you eat them with your meals due to increased saliva. Now if your first thought was gross you’re probably not alone but saliva helps to reduce the effect of acid production and makes for a cleaner mouth. For this reason, you should also limit between-meal snacks unless It’s nutritious. Chewing sugarless gum afterward can also create a saliva flow and keep you from getting hungry all the time.
It is very important to give your teeth a break from acid attacks, everything you eat and drink can have a major effect on the health of your teeth and gums. If you aren’t careful this can lead to tooth decay and attack the outer layer of your tooth’s enamel.
Chew Sugar-Free gum to reduce bacteria growth
Did you know that Cinnamon gum has an essential oil that has all sorts of Oral Health benefits? Well if you’re a lover of gum you may want to make the switch because “cinnamon aldehyde” can hunt down and destroy bacteria, and can really help in between brushing especially on those long travel days.
Schedule a post-holiday checkup with Sbenati Dentistry in London Ontario
Over the holiday people tend to be busier. This is Inevitable and despite all the planning in the world, your dental routine will likely take a hit due to increased fatigue. But this is okay. You can schedule a hygiene appointment today so after the holidays you can take care of any damage that may have been done over the holidays.
If you still have dental health Insurance left for 2021 perhaps you’ll want to come to get your teeth whitened, a dental check-up, or cleaning before all the festive holiday photo-ops as well?
From everyone at Sbenati Dentistry, we hope you enjoy your holidays with friends and family. Let us know if we can assist you in any way by emailing us at Info@sbenatidentistry.ca or calling the office at 519-474-0220.
#SmileBetterLiveBetter
