You’re looking at your calendar and it is filled to the brim with holiday parties. You only get a little respite before all the New Year’s festivities kick in. This is probably going to break up your routine, and it’s easy to lose touch with your usual oral hygiene. Your dentist in Phoenix at Smile Fitness Dental Center has 5 simple tips that will help your smile stay sparkling throughout the busy holiday season.
1. Keep Brushing and Flossing
Most of your dental care takes place at home, and that usually consists of brushing and flossing. This routine is the most important thing you can do to keep your smile healthy this time of year, or any time for that matter. Brushing and flossing protects you from tooth decay and gum disease, so keep doing them twice a day and your smile will be in good shape.
2. Watch the Sugar
It seems to rain candy this time of year, and it can be easy to overindulge. Cavities are actually caused by the natural bacteria in your mouth feeding on sugar and producing acidic plaque. Consistently eating foods that are high in sugar like candy can accelerate this process. Enjoy yourself this holiday season, just do so in moderation. A few less sweets here and there can go a long way in helping your smile.
3. Limit Alcohol
Alcohol can commonly lead to dry mouth, and this presents a perfect environment for bacteria to breed. A common example of dry mouth is what you feel when you wake up in the morning. It means your mouth has limited its saliva production, which is essential for maintaining a healthy environment for your teeth. Saliva helps limit the amount of bacteria in your mouth, so having one less drink at a party can help keep your smile healthy.
4. Drink More Water
Water is beneficial for your teeth in multiple ways. One, it helps stimulate saliva production, which ties into what we were talking about on #3. Secondly, every time you drink water, it actually rinses your teeth of bacteria and excess food particles. You can supplement one sugary or alcoholic drink with water and you will probably feel a lot better, plus you will be taking good care of your teeth.
5. Come See Us!
This is the perfect time of year to get a standard check-up and cleaning. They are an essential part of your oral hygiene routine because it allows one of our skilled hygienists to clean your teeth in ways you simply can’t at home, and gives the doctors a chance to catch any small problems you might have early. This will enable them to treat them quickly before they can develop into a bigger issue.
Want To Know More?
Just follow these 5 simple tips and you’ll be all set for a happy and healthy holiday season!
If you would like to get more tips on how to keep your teeth healthy during the holidays,, or any other time of the year, please give us a call today.