The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy many moments with your loved ones. Whether it’s friends or family, you may be excited to create memories with them. However, did you know this joyous season can spell bad news for your oral health if you aren’t careful? You can easily end up with a cavity if you overindulge, so keep reading to learn how these festive days can impact your smile and ways to protect it.
What Can the Holidays Do to My Oral Health?
As the holiday season comes around, you may be more excited to eat some of your favorite seasonal sweets. Pumpkin pie, candy canes, cookies, and brownies are just a few options that may leave you drooling. However, the sugar in them can feed the bacteria in your mouth. They will produce an acid that can dissolve your enamel, leading to cavities.
In many festivities, there may be wine or cocktails that help you enjoy the moment. Alcohol isn’t great for your grin because of the sugar, but it has other layers to it, like its acidity and dry mouth capabilities. The former can erode the top part of your teeth, while the latter will stop you from producing adequate saliva, which is used to wash away bacteria and neutralize acids.
The end of the year is busy for many people and families. From travelling, shopping, events, and everything in between, you may not have as much time during the night before bed. It’s easy to let that tiredness cause you to skip brushing and flossing, but this can lead to a wider range of oral health issues.
How Can I Keep My Smile Strong This Holiday Season?
Thankfully, despite all this, you can do your part in preventing dental problems. Although you may be gearing up for the season, here are easy tips to follow:
- Have sugary foods in moderation. Having one on occasion won’t immediately get you a cavity, but constantly snacking on them very well might!
- Take sips of water in between alcoholic drinks. That way, you rinse particles down and keep your mouth hydrated.
- Brush twice a day and floss once to remove harmful bacteria and plaque from your mouth. If you might be out for an extended period of time, then consider bringing a travel toothbrush, mini toothpaste, and floss to make sure you aren’t far from what you need to clean your smile.
- Keep up with visits to your dentist! They are here to monitor your oral health for early warning signs of dental problems. If they find any, then they can treat them and keep your teeth strong for the holidays and beyond.
About the Practice
At Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna, you benefit from the skilled leadership of Dr. Brooke Buller and Dr. Clay Odenweller. Our team is here to help the Gahanna community feel the best about their oral health, making sure it stays at its best at any time of the year. Through checkups and cleanings, we can catch problems early and fix them as soon as possible. If it’s time for your next semi-annual visit, schedule an appointment or call our office at (614) 475-1874.