The holiday season is a busy time for most of us, and it’s easy for our everyday routines to fall by the wayside. Of course, there are all those celebratory foods and drinks to enjoy. While you don’t want to miss out, it’s worth knowing the potential toll on your teeth.
Follow our easy tips to help maintain a healthy smile throughout the holidays.
Try to Choose Some Tooth Friendly Foods
When enjoying festive nibbles, try to include foods that are good for teeth and gums. Crunchy vegetables and fruits are especially good. They have a high water content and contain lots of useful fibre that has a slight scrubbing action on your teeth.
Hit the Cheeseboard
If you are a cheese lover, then ensure you hit the cheeseboard. Cheese has plenty of protein and calcium, helping to protect your teeth. It is also slightly alkaline, combating the impact of more acidic foods and drinks on your tooth enamel.
Pack a Travel Dental Kit
Consider packing a travel dental kit in your backpack or purse to freshen up wherever you go. Choose a travel toothbrush and toothpaste, and include some dental floss. Dental floss can be especially useful if you get something stuck between your teeth, as using a toothpick could damage your teeth and gums in Newcastle.
Rehydrate with Water
It can be harder to drink enough water when it is cold outside, but it is the best beverage to keep you hydrated. It can wash away excess food particles and bacteria, helps freshen your breath and aids digestion. Drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage will help you feel fresher the next morning.
Choose Your Sweet Treats Carefully
At this time of year, candy canes and many other chewy, sticky and sugary foods are everywhere. While these are traditional, they can damage your dental health. It’s all too easy to pull out a filling with sticky candy or to chip or break a tooth on a candy cane.
If you can, try to choose softer candies that melt quickly, such as chocolate. Also, consume the sweet treats as part of a main meal when your mouth is already more acidic, rather than as a snack. Snacking on these foods increases the acidity level in your mouth, increasing the risk of tooth enamel erosion.
Follow Your Daily Oral Care Routine
Try to stick to your daily oral care routine in Clarington whenever possible. Twice-daily brushing and once-a-day flossing may seem like a chore, especially if it is late at night, but it will only take a few minutes to complete.
Schedule Your Dental Checkup and Hygiene Appointment
If you haven’t already scheduled a dental checkup and hygiene appointment, contact our friendly dental team at West Bowmanville Family Dental. Scheduling your dental exam and hygiene appointment in advance will help you get an appointment at a convenient time, and it’s one less thing to think about.
Remember, Your Teeth are Only for Eating and Speaking
Your teeth are perfectly designed to help you eat and speak comfortably and clearly. They are not designed to open packages, packets or bottles.
Using your teeth as tools can be expensive, causing teeth to crack or break and requiring restorative dentistry in Courtice. If you have dental restorations like crowns, bridges or veneers, these can also become damaged and may need to be replaced.
