The holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means: family gatherings, quality time with loved ones, and plenty of reasons to have fun! As you rush from store to store in search of the perfect gift or bake dozens of sugar cookies for a party, it’s likely you have a million things on your mind this time of year. Amid all the preparations, have you prepared to keep your smile safe? The holiday season and all of its crazy schedules and sugary treats can quickly cause serious issues for your teeth. This year follow these simple tips from your dentist to protect your oral health while enjoying the festivities!
Make Time for What Counts
If you’re feeling crunched for time during the holiday season, it may be tempting to cancel that dentist appointment you have coming up. But seeing your dentist regularly for checkups, especially during the holidays, is the best way to catch and stop any potential oral health issues as early as possible. So give yourself the gift of preventive dentistry and make time to see your dentist before the New Year.
Don’t let the busy holidays distract you from keeping up your healthy dental habits either. No matter how late at night or early in the morning you’re out having fun, don’t skip out on brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes!
Snack Safe
You won’t find candy on any nice list when it comes to protecting your oral health. With so much of it around this time of year however, it might feel impossible to avoid. Keep your teeth happy and healthy with a few safe snacking tips:
- Avoid biting down on hard foods like peppermints and caramel corn that could fracture or break your teeth.
- Don’t chew on sticky foods like fruitcakes and taffy that can latch on and dislocate dental work like crowns and fillings.
- Constantly clean sugars off your teeth to prevent cavities by drinking plenty of water and eating your sweets with other, non-sugary foods.
Slow Down and Enjoy the Season
The holidays can be a stressful time for year for many of us. Sometimes stress can cause Bruxism, or an unconscious grinding of your teeth while you sleep. This condition can cause headaches and fracture your teeth if not diagnosed and treated. You can keep your teeth safe by using a night guard and taking time to destress during the holidays.
While you destress, be sure to slow down if you’re overly excited about opening your presents or a bottle of wine. Using your teeth on ribbons, bottle caps, plastic, and wrapping paper can cause your teeth serious damage with one wrong move. Enjoy the moment but don’t use your teeth as a multipurpose tool!
Even though the holidays can be a particularly harmful ordeal for your teeth, these simple tips can help you enjoy all the festivities of the season with a happy, healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Eric L. Townsend is a preventive, restorative, and emergency dentist based in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry and an active member of many well-known associations, including the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Northeast District Dental Association. He is passionate about providing his patients with outstanding preventive services to maintain beautiful, healthy smiles all year long. If you’d like to know more, he can be reached at his website or at (904) 285-7711.