It’s hard to believe the holidays are upon us!
While your friends at 1st in Smiles want you to enjoy this festive time of year to the fullest, we know that can’t happen if you’re suffering from dental pain and other problems with your teeth.
So we’re here to help you avoid any issues that may interfere with your ability to smile confidently and chew your food comfortably.
Follow These Healthy Teeth Tips This Season!
Here are some simple tips from your Plano, TX dentist that you can follow at Thanksgiving and the holidays to keep your smile healthy:
Enjoy Sweets In Moderation!
While we’d never expect anyone to avoid sweets entirely, especially when it comes to the rare treats we only enjoy around the holidays, we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t at least encourage moderation.
Pumpkin and pecan pies, cookies and candies, and even starchy, creamy casseroles, all have high sugar content, which on its own isn’t bad for your teeth, but can be a dental disaster when it mixes with the bad bacteria in your mouth.
Bacteria eats sugar and breaks it down into harmful acids that cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, so enjoy your holiday favorites, but practice moderation, and rinse your mouth out with water after you eat to keep your risk for dental problems low.
Watch Out For Treats That Stain Your Teeth!
Any day of the year, you’re at a certain risk for teeth stains, but just how much of a risk depends on a lot of variables, such as:
- Your oral and overall health
- Your dental hygiene
- Your diet and lifestyle
- Your daily medications
- Your age
- Your genes
Naturally, some of your teeth discoloration over the years will be beyond your control. But there are things you can do to avoid a certain amount staining during the holiday season, like staying away from dark foods, sauces, dressings, and drinks.
Rinsing your mouth out with water after you indulge in darkly-pigmented treats helps, too, as does staying well-hydrated. Having plenty of saliva to coat your teeth will make it tougher for those pigments to stick to your enamel.
Don’t Forget The Blessing Of Good Oral Hygiene!
It may not be at the top of our priority list, but sticking with your daily oral hygiene routine is an essential part of maintaining a healthy smile through the holidays.
Everyone’s plans are kind of all over the place this time of year. You may be traveling to visit relatives or staying busy preparing to host your own holiday parties.
But somewhere in all the hustle and bustle, be sure to make your daily brushing and flossing a priority so that the extra sugar and starchy comfort foods don’t derail your dental health!
Schedule Your Next Dental Appointment!
No matter what time of year it is, you should always remember to keep up with those invaluable routine dental appointments in Plano, TX!
We’re here to make sure your teeth and gums are clean and healthy, especially after the holidays when good dental habits can sort of take a backseat to the delicious temptations in front of us!
We can help keep your smile on the right track heading into the new year! Call 1st in Smiles today at 972-905-9266 or fill out our online form to schedule your appointment.
