This is a special time of the year, for folks of all faiths around the world. With so many celebrations going on, it’s easy to get caught up in the spirit of things. And while we may be facing some additional challenges in finding safe and healthy ways to celebrate, our holiday celebrations should always include some emphasis on our oral health. This time of the year presents some potential hazards to our teeth, so how do we go about maintaining oral health during the holidays? We have some suggestions for you and we hope you’ll find them helpful.
Don’t forget about brushing and flossing!
The holidays can be a disruptive time, hopefully in the very best way. With some time away from our regular routines and various forms of social gatherings happening, it can be a time in which our day-to-day gets lost in the shuffle. While that’s part of what makes a good holiday or a good vacation, you should go out of your way to maintain some portions of your routine, including regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use. Nothing goes further to maintaining your oral health, both during the weeks to come and all year round.
Schedule a pre-holiday dentist visit
For all sorts of reasons, this may be the perfect time of the year to see your dentist or other oral health care provider. It’s a good time to get in one last exam and cleaning so that you’ll know you’re going into the holidays–when your dentist may be unavailable–without any problems looming. Depending on your health insurance, you may have unused benefits available that you’ll want to take advantage of before everything resets in the New Year. As such, this may be a great time to schedule a cosmetic procedure you’ve been putting off. It’s all about peace of mind, and no leaving any money on the table, so book an appointment today.
Exercise care with holiday foods
The holidays are filled with foods that may be delicious but also pose some danger for your teeth. Hard items like nuts, hard candies, peanut brittle, and other hard confections can risk a broken tooth. Sticky sweets like fudge and caramel can remain lodged in your teeth and cause cavities. We’re not saying you should avoid these items entirely, but rather that you should be smart in how you approach them. Use a nutcracker to open nuts, break toffee or peanut brittle into smaller pieces, and rinse your mouth out after enjoying a sticky caramel. And as always, brush and floss regularly!
Maintain a (mostly) healthy diet
The holidays are a prime time for indulgence (and perhaps a bit of overindulgence). That’s not always a bad thing, but you should temper it with the need to maintain a healthy diet year round. While enjoying delicious holiday foods, remember the effect they can have on your teeth and your overall health and temper your response accordingly. Excess sugars and starches can contribute to tooth decay, so make sure you’re including some healthy options like salads in your holiday spread.
Despite the challenges we’ve all faced this year, this is still a time to celebrate. We hope you’ll find fun ways to do so, safely and happily. It may not be too late to schedule a pre-holiday dentist exam, so get in touch right away if you’d like to make an appointment!
