29 Nov 8 Holiday Tips For Healthy Teeth
The holiday season is upon us and at Prescott Dentistry, we want you to enjoy it! We also want to help you keep your smile looking as beautiful as ever. The following are some relatively easy ways to keep your teeth healthy this holiday season, whether you’re celebrating here in Prescott, or anywhere else in the world! Here are some of our holiday tips for healthy teeth:
1. EAT PLENTY OF VEGGIES
Be sure to balance the decadent treats with lots of vegetables. Leafy greens are a great choice because they contain calcium, which strengthens the tooth enamel. And crunchy carrots will help increase saliva production, which can reduce your risk of getting cavities.
2. AVOID EXCESS SUGAR
We know sugar can’t be avoided completely. But we encourage you to be mindful of how much you are consuming. Your teeth and your waistline will thank you! When you do enjoy a sweet treat, try to eat it with meals or shortly afterwards. Saliva production is highest at this time, which helps neutralize acid and rinse away food particles.
3. USE SCISSORS, NOT YOUR TEETH!
It can be tempting to open presents, bottles, and snack packages with your teeth. But this will cause the enamel to weaken over time and could cause cracking or damage to your teeth.
4. STICK TO YOUR DAILY ORAL HYGIENE ROUTINE
It is particularly important to stick to your daily oral hygiene routine over the holidays. You can avoid a lot of time, money, and trouble by remembering to brush twice a day and floss daily.
5. DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Water has many benefits for your dental health! It washes away sugar particles and bacteria. It also helps your body produce more saliva. Saliva is your mouth’s best defense against tooth decay.
6. CHEESE, PLEASE!
Many of the foods and drinks we consume this time of year are highly acidic. Cheese is actually alkaline. So snacking on cheese in between sips and bites of acidic treats can help to cut the acid. This, in turn, will reduce your risk of tooth decay. It is also high in calcium and phosphate, which both strengthen your teeth.
7. CHEW CINNAMON GUM
Researchers from the University of Illinois have found that cinnamon can kill bacteria in the mouth. So chewing on sugarless cinnamon gum will not only freshen the breath, but it will also keep your mouth healthier! In addition, gum helps remove food particles and harmful bacteria.
8. SAY NO TO CHEWY AND HARD CANDY
The holidays are often full of treats that can be damaging to your teeth. Sticky substances cling to tooth enamel and encourage tooth decay, and thick candies like caramel and taffy can even pull out fillings. Eat these sweets sparingly—if you must indulge, be sure to eat them with other foods to help keep the treats from sticking to your teeth.
Crunching on ice or hard candy can lead to cracked or chipped teeth, which are painful and expensive to fix. If you’re enjoying hard candy or tempted by the ice in your holiday cocktail, let them dissolve naturally, rather than chewing them. The best option is to avoid these items altogether as ice can also cause discomfort for sensitive teeth, and hard candies contribute to tooth decay.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM PRESCOTT DENTISTRY
We hope these holiday tips for healthy teeth will serve as a helpful reminder to be mindful of your dental health. We want to help you keep your teeth healthy this holiday season, while still enjoying the festivities. And be sure to call Prescott Dentistry today to schedule a post-holiday dental cleaning!
Image by Sabrina Ripke from Pixabay