You survived all the treats and temptations that go with Thanksgiving! Congratulations. Now it’s time for an even bigger test, and we want to help you protect your teeth during all those holiday dinners and family gatherings before the end of 2022.
“It is so easy to forget about taking care of your teeth with all the sugary temptations at holiday parties,” said Dr. Tony Thomas, lead dentist at Advanced Smile Care.
8 tips you can use right now to protect your teeth
Sweet treats
Enjoy all the sweet smiles you can get this holiday season but try to resist too many sweet treats. Surely, you will be tempted by amazing candy, homemade baked pies, cakes, eggnog, or even a sugar cane or two. Enjoy them in moderation. Also, see if you can sidestep the sticky treats and the dried fruit that can get stuck between teeth. It may also be a good idea to avoid super hard candy that can break teeth, and damage fillings or dentures! One crunch could result in a BIG dental problem.
Snack away
Best bets for holiday snacking? When you have a choice between a bowl of gummy treats and some great looking fruit, go for the fruit! Nothing says it’s the holidays like an elegant cheese tray. Bon Appetite!
Keep Drinking!
Keep drinking the water. Water helps to wash away crumbs and bacteria that can harm your teeth. Drinking water instead of all those sugary drinks and soda will also be better for your teeth. Keep your best water bottle filled with H2O by your side all holiday season! Your teeth and your body will thank you!
Avoid using your Teeth as a Tool
Sometimes you just can’t break a ribbon, open a bottle, or tear into that snack bag. When the knife or scissors are nowhere in sight, remember it’s a bad idea to use your teeth as a tool! You risk chipping and damaging your teeth and that can lead to a very expensive repair job! Who wants that aggravation?
Real Cheesy Tip
Adult beverages are famous for their acid content. So, when you are indulging in a cocktail, glass of wine, or a fine craft beer, snack on a piece of your favorite cheese. The alkaline in cheese can help neutralize the acids in your drink, and that’s better for your teeth!
Brushing
Holiday time can mean serious diversions from your regular daily routine. Just a reminder to brush and floss at least two times a day for two minutes a day. Sing your favorite holiday song in your head while you brush. See, you are taking care of your teeth without losing that holiday spirit!
Pack a “To Go Kit”
Holiday time means plenty of parties, as well as visits to friends and family. It also means a lot of snacks, meals, and not much time to brush. With all the running around, the motivation to brush and floss when you get home may not be there either. Here is a great trick. Pack a “to-go kit” when you step out for a night out. Pack a brush, travel-size toothpaste (with fluoride), and a small container of floss. That way you can hop into a bathroom, brush, and floss without missing a beat. Think how wonderful it will feel when you have a brush and floss handy to get that sesame seed out from between your teeth!
Get the Appointment You Want
You planned on making an end-of-year dentist appointment. You intended to get your teeth cleaned. But with the holiday being so busy, that appointment just slipped through the cracks, right?
“Now is the perfect time to schedule a check-up and cleaning. Schedule your appointment now for the New Year, and you have a better chance of getting the day and time that is most convenient for you,” said Dr. Thomas.
Advanced Smile Care is here to help you kick off the New Year and keep your smile bright and teeth healthy in 2023!
