Now that the holiday season is well underway, it’s time to talk about how to maintain good oral hygiene. There is an increased tendency to eat and drink foods that aren’t normally on the menu. And an overabundance of indulgence can lead to dental issues. Here are three tips that will help you get great marks at your next dental checkup.
Wine
It doesn’t matter whether you prefer red wine or white, both contain a high level of acid that will eat away at the enamel on your teeth, exposing you to a wide variety of tooth problems. And, once your enamel is gone, there’s no way to restore it. You don’t have to stop drinking wine, but try to refrain from holding it your mouth or swishing it around and drink water in between glasses to rinse your mouth.
Sugary Treats
The holidays are notorious for an abundance of sweet treats when it comes to typical fare. And the normal bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugars that are left in your mouth after indulging. While the gold standard for dental care is to brush and floss after every meal, the grazing pattern that is common this time of year. So, chew a piece of sugarless gum in between sweet treats and drink water regularly to promote saliva flow and wash away bacteria.
Stress
Holiday stress can cause dental problems due to grinding and clenching. Finding other ways to deal with stress will go a long way to ensuring that your teeth hold up well throughout the holiday season. If you find that you have issues with grinding your teeth in your sleep, get a mouth guard to minimize damage.
Last but not least, make sure that you follow your normal dental health routine and see your dentist at least twice per year for cleanings and your teeth should make it through the holidays just fine.