The holiday season is a time for celebration and overindulging. Eating and drinking more than usual can increase the risk of cavities and tooth decay. But when it comes to oral hygiene, it’s essential to remain vigilant! Here are six tips to help you maintain oral hygiene during the busy holiday season.
Tips To Follow During Holidays
1. Avoid Mindless Eating
It’s easy to mindlessly snack on food while spending time with family, watching movies, or playing games. This can quickly add up in terms of sugar intake and put you at risk for cavities. Try not to keep snacks out all the time and instead enjoy them with intention – as part of a meal or snack break – rather than constantly grazing throughout the day.
2. Take Alcoholic Beverages in Moderation
Enjoying alcoholic beverages during the holidays is common, but alcohol can dry out your mouth, reduce saliva production, and increase your chances of developing tooth decay. Alternate between alcoholic drinks and water or non-alcoholic beverages throughout the evening so you don’t dehydrate or compromise your enamel.
3. Brush Your Teeth More Often
With all the sugary treats around this time of year, extra brushing is critical! Try brushing after every meal or rinse your mouth with water if you don’t have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste immediately.
4. Control Eating Too Many Candies
Hard candies are one of many sugary treats consumed around this festive time; however, hard candy can be especially damaging since they stay in contact with teeth longer than other treats that dissolve more quickly in the mouth. If you choose to eat hard candy, try eating just one at a time instead of multiple pieces consecutively throughout the day, increasing their effect on teeth even more drastically over a more extended period!
5. Pack a Go-To Cleaning Kit at Parties
Make sure you always have a go-to cleaning kit handy — such as flossers, travel-sized toothbrushes/toothpaste — so that you can quickly clean up after eating sugary treats at parties or gatherings! This way, you won’t be stuck with any tools if food isn’t available nearby for rinsing afterward!
6. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Present Openers
Wrapping paper has been known to get stuck between teeth which causes plaque build-up and also damages gums! Instead, opt for scissors or another tool that doesn’t involve putting pressure directly onto teeth when opening gifts – this will prevent unnecessary damage from happening this holiday season!
Conclusion
Taking care of your oral health doesn’t have to be a chore — there are plenty of simple steps everyone can take during this busy holiday season to maintain healthy teeth & gums! Remember these tips next time you reach for those extra holiday treats – moderation is key! Booking your post-holiday dental checkup will ensure that any residual problems are addressed before they cause further damage – so schedule an appointment soon!