How to Stay on Top of Your Dental Health During the Holidays

The holiday season is packed with parties and events that serve sticky foods and sweets. As you indulge in acidic drinks and snack on desserts, it’s easy to neglect basic oral health habits, especially with the routine changes, stress, and chaos associated with the time when family visits.

When you neglect your teeth, oral pain and discomfort can ruin your family holiday get-together and leave you seeking affordable dentistry.

There are many ways to enjoy this festive season without compromising the health of your teeth and gums. Here are some tips for staying on top of your dental health during the holidays:

Avoid overindulging in sweets

Sweets seem to appear everywhere you go during this time of the year. Chocolates, cookies, popcorn balls, dried fruits, and candy canes are tasty, and they are enjoyable especially when you have a sweet tooth. However, consuming too much sugar can wreak havoc on your teeth.

Sugary food and drinks activate the bacteria in your mouth, and these bacteria feed off the sugar and produce acids that can harm your teeth. Sticky foods, on the other hand, can leave debris in your mouth as they are more likely to remain on your teeth longer than other types of food.

Fortunately, you can recover your teeth and gums from a sugar binge by preparing a veggie tray with crunchy celery, broccoli, and carrots. Eating these vegetables in between sweets can help keep your teeth clean.

Brush and floss before eating

Stains remain to the film of plaque on your teeth. To minimize the risk of staining, brush and floss properly before heading to a holiday event. This can also help prevent tooth decay and gum disease in the long run.

Aside from maintaining a healthy dental routine before indulging in meals and drinks, consider bringing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss with you so you can clean your teeth right after eating or drinking. Otherwise, simply take frequent sips of water as you eat to keep you hydrated and prevent stains from lingering on your teeth. You can also schedule a post-holiday checkup and cleaning from one of our dentists in Ypsilanti.

Never use your teeth as a tool

It can be tempting to open bottles, food packages, nuts, and presents with your teeth. However, this display of holiday spirit can damage your tooth and weaken the enamel and fragile edges of your teeth that can lead to cracking, breakage, and severe tooth and gum damage.

Never use your teeth as tools. Instead, keep a pair of scissors, nutcrackers, or bottle openers in your living room so they are readily available if you need them and you won’t be tempted to use your teeth.

Conclusion

The holiday season is supposed to be the time when you spend with the people closest to your heart. Follow the tips mentioned above to reduce the risk of damaging your teeth and leave you scheduling an urgent appointment with your dentist instead of celebrating with your family. On the other hand, have their phone number on hand just in case of dental emergencies.

Start the new year with healthier teeth and gums by heading to Dental House MI. We offer dental services in Ann Arbor and Waterford. Schedule an appointment today!