The holiday season is upon us, meaning dinner and cocktail parties, games, and candies galore. Your teeth will undoubtedly be exposed to sugar, which means keeping your teeth clean is going to be more of a challenge and even more important as the season progresses. There are many ways you can keep your teeth healthy and strong between holiday parties and into the new year.
Keep everything in moderation
You won’t need to completely forgo the tempting platters of cake and cookies. If you consume sweets after a larger meal, you’ll be able to produce more saliva, which neutralizes the acids from sugar. Avoid sticky foods, such as caramels, which can stick to your teeth and wear at your enamel. If available, stick to club soda and low-fat versions of mixers, and make sure to drink plenty of water.
Don’t use your teeth improperly
Using your teeth to perform tasks best left for the proper tools can lead to cracks and chips, discomfort and an emergency dental visit. There are tools available to crack nuts, open bottles and cut ribbons while decorating, and they can be used with minimal risk to your safety. You don’t want to rush out of a holiday party early just because you cracked your tooth on a bottle cap!
Maintain your brushing and flossing
Even if you are just going out for the night, bring a travel toothbrush kit containing a brush, floss, and toothpaste so you can brush your teeth as soon as possible after a meal. While it may be tempting to just wait for the end of the night to take care of your teeth, brushing them sooner after eating is the best time to remove any sugar, acid or bacteria building up on your teeth. If you cannot brush your teeth immediately after eating, make sure you chew a stick of sugarless gum and rinse your mouth out with water beforehand. Swish the water around to make sure it gets around your mouth, which gives the water more of a chance to knock out any stuck particles.
Visiting a dentist in Newton, MA
If you have the time, make sure you see your dentist for a cleaning before the holiday season begins. Newton Dental Associates provides preventive care, in addition to other services to keep your smile healthy and bright this holiday season, such as teeth whitening. To schedule a consultation with Newton Dental Associates, call our offices at 617-965-0060 or fill out our online contact form.