If you’re looking for magic, festivities, and joy during the year, the holidays are the surest time to expect them. However, these months may not be so exciting for your teeth. After all, there are plenty of oral habits this time of year that can leave your smile susceptible to issues like cavities and bacteria. Even so, this doesn’t mean you’ll have to forego the festivities altogether. Keep reading to learn factors that make the holidays bad for your smile and ways to preserve your pearly whites.
How Are the Holidays Bad for Your Dental Health?
The main reason the festive months can be harmful to your teeth is due to tooth decay and cavities. Some of the main factors that contribute to this include:
- Skipping normal routines: Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash every day should be a normal thing to do every morning and evening. However, if you’re traveling or visiting family, it can be easy to forget or skip these habits to get straight to the fun.
- Snacking throughout the day: It’s normal to spend the holidays surrounded by delicious appetizers and tasty desserts all day. The bad news is that the more frequently you snack on food, the higher the risk of developing cavities. Doing so won’t allow your saliva the chance to naturally wash away harmful particles and bacteria.
- Excessive sugar intake: Do you often enjoy candy, pastries, and other sweets throughout the holidays? So do bacteria! Overindulging in sugary treats can leave your teeth vulnerable to decay and cavities, as bacteria will begin to eat away at your enamel.
Ways to Protect Your Smile During the Festivities
While the holidays might not be ideal for your teeth, there are steps you can take to protect your smile during this season. To preserve your dental health amidst the festivities, you’ll want to consider these few tips:
- Minimize the amount of sugar you’re eating throughout the day.
- Drink lots of water frequently to help wash out food particles and bacteria, especially after snacking.
- Set reminders on your phone to brush and floss your teeth in the morning and evening.
- Bring dental floss everywhere to clean between your teeth after meals.
- Eat plenty of nutritional foods for holiday meals, like turkey, cheese, veggies, and cranberries.
- Visit your dentist after the holidays to detect and address any oral health issues before they worsen.
Although the festivities can be harmful to your smile, there are plenty of ways to keep your teeth safe during the holidays! Keep these tips in mind, and you can be sure to enjoy better oral health while making the most of this season.
About the Practice
At Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, we want to ensure that our patients enjoy healthy and beautiful smiles all year round, especially during the holidays. That’s why we are proud to offer effective preventive care while also educating people on ways to preserve their oral health to promote a greater quality of life. If you have questions about caring for your teeth during the festivities or wish to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call us at 614-792-1800.