The holidays only come around once a year. And if you’re like most people, you want to enjoy them! The only problem is that too much merry-making can lead to cavities. Fortunately, however, indulging in cookies, cakes, and eggnog doesn’t mean your smile has to suffer. By using a few helpful tricks at this time of year, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy and avoid unexpected visits to a dentist in State College. Keep reading for 7 easy tips you can use to enjoy the holidays without wrecking your oral health!
1. Eat the Right Foods At Holiday Parties
In between sweet treats at parties, eat a piece of cheese. With natural compounds that counteract sugars and acids, it’s a great way to prevent cavities. You can also reach for crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery, which have a scrubbing action that naturally keeps your teeth clean.
2. Make Plain Water Your Main Beverage
Since you’re eating more sugar than usual at this time of year, try to primarily drink plain water instead of sweet beverages like soda and juice. You’ll not only stay better hydrated, you’ll also wash away the sugars on your teeth after meals and snacks and prevent cavities.
3. Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
Need to open a bottle or package or crack nuts? Use the proper tools for these jobs and protect your teeth and dental work from harm.
4. Keep In Mind That Timing Matters
It’s true that the amount of sugar you consume is important. But did you know that how often you’re eating sugar matters just as much? Snacking, grazing, and sipping on sweet foods and beverages is a recipe for getting cavities, so try to enjoy them in a relatively short window of time or with a meal.
5. Be Careful With Sticky Foods
Sticky foods adhere to your teeth. And when sugar is involved, you’re at high risk for tooth decay. If you have something sticky like peanut brittle or pecan pie, try to brush your teeth as soon as possible afterward.
6. Keep Oral Hygiene Supplies On Hand
Since brushing isn’t always an option when you’re on the go, carry sugar-free gum with you. It’s not a substitute for brushing but it does stimulate salivary flow, which washes away plaque and sugar and neutralizes the acids that cause cavities. It’s also a good idea to keep an extra container of floss on hand to use after meals or snacks away from home.
7. Schedule a Visit With Your Dentist
If you want to minimize the chances of a holiday dental emergency, scheduling a checkup and cleaning is one of the most important things you can do. This way, a dentist in State College can find problems early on, before they’ve caused pain, and treat them with relatively simple procedures. Not to mention that a professional cleaning before the holidays will help your smile look its best.
With these 7 tips, you can enjoy yourself over the holidays, without jeopardizing your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Kevin Labosky is a family dentist in State College with over 20 years of experience and a graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry. He firmly believes that with the right tips and tricks, everyone can enjoy the holidays and keep their teeth and gums healthy at the same time. If you have any questions about your oral health during the holidays, he can be reached via his website.
