We expose our teeth to very high sugar levels and other foods high in acid during the holidays. The combination of sugar and bacteria in our mouths creates acid that damages tooth enamel, leading to cavities. This is why we should brush regularly and avoid sugary foods for healthy teeth throughout the cold months.
While there’s no avoiding all the food you’ll be consuming, it’s still important to remember to take care of ourselves—including our teeth.
Here are a few tips to help ensure you’re enjoying the holidays while still taking good care of your teeth.
Get a New Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Get a new toothbrush and toothpaste before the holidays start. You’ll want to make sure your toothbrush is nice and clean and that you’re using a new toothbrush than any other family members haven’t used.
Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. While kids need soft bristles for good oral health, adults should also choose a toothbrush with soft bristles. If you’ve been using medium or stiff bristles and have adapted to the harder bristles, your gums will be more sensitive to softer bristles. If you have dentures, be sure to keep them clean regularly.
Take it Easy with the Amount of Acidic Food
Some acidic foods can cause more damage than others. Since we’ll be exposing our teeth to high amounts of sugar and acid, it’s a good idea to limit the amount of these foods we eat. Commonly known to be very acidic, some foods we should avoid are lemons, limes, oranges, and soda.
So instead of drinking a soda with your meal, have some water. Instead of having a soda for dessert, try some tea. The great thing is that you can make some very delicious and healthy choices. Unlike soda, tea has antioxidants and other important vitamins. Even better, you’ll be saving your teeth!
Eat Lots of Fruit
Eating certain fruits can help protect your teeth from damage and eat away at the plaque on your teeth. Fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges are a great choice; they are very nutritious and tasty. Apples are a great choice because they are very low in sugar. Bananas and oranges are good for you because they contain Vitamin C. They’ll help strengthen your teeth and gums.
Change it Up
Instead of having dessert after every meal, try only once a day. This will help your teeth from getting too much sugar, damaging them. If you have a slight sweet tooth and love having something sweet at night, try replacing your dessert with a cup of tea or some fruit. Not only will this help your teeth, but it will also help your waistline.
Don’t Forget to Use Mouthwash
Many people forget to use mouthwash, and it’s probably the most important thing you can do to your mouth to keep it healthy. Mouthwash is essential to help keep your mouth clean and prevent bad breath and cavities. Use mouthwash as often as possible, but not more than three times a day.
The Bottom Line
While you won’t avoid excess sugar this holiday season, it’s important to remember that taking care of your teeth is very important. Mouthwash can help cleanse your mouth, breath fresheners can keep your breath smelling good, and brushing and flossing regularly can prevent bad breath and cavities.
If you are looking for a family dentist for everyone during this holiday season, you’re in the right place! Let our family help you smile confidently and eat extra well during the holidays. Our main goal is to help our patients maintain their oral health and fix any problems as soon as possible. Request an appointment with us today!
