Sharing time with your family and smiling often is a great part of your Christmas Holidays, but Christmas is also a time of indulgence with wonderful treats tempting us at every turn. Keep your smile bright over the holidays with these Christmas dental tips from your 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 keep in mind all that extra eating can take a toll on your oral health, so a little extra care will go a long way to keep your smile shining.
6 Christmas Dental Tips To Keep Your Teeth Shining Bright
The following Christmas dental tips can help you keep your teeth healthy during the holiday season.
1. Brush & Floss More Often
You knew this was coming, right? This one goes without saying, but it’s our #1 Christmas Dental Tip. If you’re eating more sugary treats and in general eating more often, 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 those sweet, sticky, Christmas treats don’t get trapped in your braces.
Consider brushing and flossing after each meal, or simply choose a time halfway between your morning and bedtime routines to head to the bathroom for an additional oral hygiene session.
2. Swish With Fluoride Mouthwash
This is a good habit to include in your daily oral care regimen, but especially during the holidays. Once a day, swish your mouth out thoroughly with a fluoridated mouthwash. For your children, be sure to choose a child-safe mouthwash.
3. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Gum isn’t for everyone, but it can help to keep you from eating other sweet treats and it won’t add to the cavity-causing fare we tend to indulge in during the holidays. 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 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 indulgence.
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 and strong for the new year!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR!