Christmas is a wonderful time to step away from work, unwind with loved ones, and, of course, indulge in delicious food. Of course, if you’re expecting your home to be brimming with decadent desserts and sugary treats over the holiday season, it’s important that you protect your smile from the decay, discoloration, or dental emergency that one-too-many Christmas cookies can bring. Check out these simple tips from the friendly team at The Grove Dental Rouse Hill to ensure that your smile stays healthy and bright while you celebrate this holiday season.

Be Mindful About Sugar Consumption

It’s no secret that sugar is the culprit behind many common oral health problems, such as cavities. While the holiday season is known as a time to enjoy and share yummy sweets, how you go about doing so can make a tremendous difference in your oral health, such as:

• Consuming sugary food and drinks in moderation.
• Avoiding particularly chewy, sticky, or hard foods, such as toffee or candy canes.
• Putting ice cubes in sweet drinks to dilute them.
• Rinsing your mouth with water after eating sugary foods.

Watch Out for Acidic Drinks

Sugar isn’t the only ingredient to be cautious of over the holidays. The acid found in festive drinks, such as red wine, fruit juice, and sodas, can also damage your teeth by causing erosion. Unfortunately, once your enamel erodes away, there is no way to restore it. Because of this, protecting your enamel as much as possible is a crucial step in maintaining a beautiful smile for a lifetime. Here are some practical steps to protect your enamel over the holidays:

• Drink water during and after meals to wash away food particles and bacteria.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks as much as possible.
• Drink from a straw to minimize contact between the beverage and your teeth.
• Wait at least 30 minutes after consuming acidic food and drinks before brushing your teeth.

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy and strong all year long, but these steps are especially important during the holidays. If you think being lazy about your usual oral hygiene routine won’t have a negative impact on the well-being of your smile, think again. Failing to remove food particles and bacteria from your teeth and gums for an extended period of time is the fastest way to develop minor dental problems that could develop into major ones down the line, such as gum disease. With this in mind, be sure to continue brushing and flossing regularly over the holiday season and beyond to ensure your teeth stay in tip-top shape through the new year.

Dental-friendly Holiday Tips

Caring for your teeth and gums during the Christmas season isn’t only about what you eat and drink.  Along with avoiding sugary foods, acidic drinks, and practicing good oral hygiene, keep these dental-friendly tips in mind:

• Never use your teeth as tools to open packages.
• Avoid chewing on things that aren’t food, such as ice.
• Consider wearing a mouth guard if you plan on participating in contact sports with your family.
• Chew sugar-free gum to aid in saliva production and wash away acids.
• Keep healthy snacks available in your home, such as cheese, fruit, and nuts, to limit sugar consumption.

After the Christmas season dies down and you’ve indulged in your fair share of treats, be sure to schedule your bi-annual check-up and professional cleaning at The Grove Dental Rouse Hill. Dr Britt and her trusted team are committed to keeping your smile healthy, strong, and beautiful through the holiday season and beyond!