Sharing time with your family and smiling often is a great part of your Christmas Holidays, but Christmas is also a time of indulgence, wonderful treats leading up to and on the special day. Keep your smile bright over the Christmas holidays with these oral health tips from our Bradford Dentist.
During the holidays, many of us indulge in treats more often than we do during the rest of the year. Enjoy everything Christmas has to offer, but all the extra eating can take a toll on your oral health, so a little extra care will go a long way to keeping your smile shining.
These tips can help you keep your teeth healthy during the Christmas holidays.
6 Christmas Dental Tips To Keep Your Teeth Shining Bright
1. Brush & Floss More Often
You knew this one was coming, right? This one goes without saying, but it’s our #1 Christmas Dental Tip. If you’re eating more sugary treats and eating more often in general, it’s a good idea to add in an extra brushing and flossing session to keep plaque at bay. This is really, really important if you have braces. You need to ensure food doesn’t get trapped in the braces.
Consider brushing and flossing after each meal, or just choose a time halfway between your morning and bedtime routines to head to the bathroom for an additional oral hygiene session.
2. Swish With Flouride Mouthwash
This is a good habit to include in your daily tooth care regiment, but especially true during the holidays. Once a day swish your mouth out thoroughly with a fluorinated mouthwash. For your children, be sure to choose a child-safe mouthwash.
3. Sugar-Free Gum
Gum isn’t for everyone, but it can help keep you from eating other sweet treats and won’t add to the cavity-causing elements your eating. Chewing sugar-free gum doesn’t replace brushing or flossing, but it can help you with your cravings, especially after the Christmas sugar rush is done.
4. Indulge in Cheese
Cheese is one of the few holiday indulgences that is actually pretty good for your teeth. Not only is cheese rich in calcium, which is great for your teeth and bones, it also helps reduce the acid levels in your mouth after eating, thereby helping to protect your enamel.
5. Come Prepared with a Teeth Cleaning Kit
Depending on how many holiday parties and events you plan to attend this year, you may want to consider carrying a small oral hygiene kit around with you so you can brush and floss on the go.
Fill a pouch with sample-sized toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash, add a toothbrush, and keep it in your purse or bag to use when you’ve had a particularly sugary snacking session.
6. Schedule a Post-Holiday Cleaning at Bradford Family Dentistry!
This is an important Christmas Dental Tip. Schedule a professional dental cleaning at Bradford Family Dentistry for early in the new year, just to play it safe. We’ll help make sure your teeth and gums are healthy for the new year!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR!