The holidays wouldn’t be the same without the delicious changes in the foods we eat during this most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, many of the holidays’ tasty treats can wreak havoc on our oral health. Similarly, the madness and busyness of the holidays can disrupt our normal routines, including how we take care of our teeth and gums.
During the holidays, it takes some extra effort to ensure that the joys of the season don’t turn in to the sorrows of cavities, gum disease, or other oral health problems. With that in mind, here are three-holiday healthy teeth tips to keep your bells jingling through New Years:
- Avoid sticky and chewy foods. No one wants cavities, and cavities cannot be completely avoided. But certain holiday foods and treats are really good at causing cavities and tooth decay. Sticky and chewy foods in particular – like candy canes or snickerdoodles or caramels – can spread their own form of holiday cheer all over your teeth.
The bacteria which cause tooth decay and other oral health problems thrive on accumulated food particles which linger on the surface of teeth and between teeth. Sticky foods – unsurprisingly – are more likely to stick to your teeth and can be harder to remove. The longer they stick around, the more likely they are to cause cavities.
- One of the best ways to keep those sticky foods from sticking around and causing problems is to drink water. Drinking water can help flush away the sugars and acids that build up in your mouth. Water also washes away leftover food which can breed bacteria and dilutes the enamel-damaging acid produced by that bacteria.
Keep up with your regular water consumption routine throughout the holidays – at least 64 ounces per day – to flush toxins out of your system and bacteria out of your mouth. Focus on drinking water instead of sodas or juices. As an added holiday season bonus, water can also mimic a sense of fullness, which may help you from overindulging on holiday treats.
- Maintain your oral hygiene routine. Things can get so busy and routines can get so disrupted during the holidays that we can easily forget to do the basic things we do throughout the year to keep ourselves healthy. This includes our oral health regimen. Stick to your normal twice-a-day brushing and flossing routine as much as possible.
Assure A Smile: Miami Holistic Dentistry
During the holidays and throughout the year, the holistic dentistry professionals at Assure A Smile in Miami partner with our patients to help them develop healthy, natural, and effective oral hygiene habits as part of an overall wellness strategy and holistic healthcare approach. This includes being conscious and thoughtful about the food we eat and the beverages we drink. To learn more about holistic dentistry or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today at 305-274-0047.
