The holiday season is a time to celebrate, and the traditional candies and desserts can certainly be a festive temptation. Unfortunately, indulging in many customary holiday treats like candy canes, gingerbread, and chocolate can be harmful to your teeth if you aren’t careful. Here are a few ways to keep your smile in good shape when you’re enjoying a merry occasion with family and friends.
Take It Easy on the Sugary Sweetmeats
Sugar is delicious to humans because it is full of simple chemical energy that the body can easily absorb. Unfortunately, the human mouth is home to billions of harmful bacteria that love sugar for exactly the same reason. When you eat something sweet, it leaves a sugary residue in your mouth for these germs to feast on, allowing them to multiply rapidly and begin attacking your teeth and gums. It’s not horrible to enjoy candy canes or chocolates once in a while, but eat them sparingly and clean your teeth afterward. You can also chase them with a glass of water to help wash away the sugary debris.
Keep on Top of Your Oral Hygiene
An excellent oral hygiene routine is your first line of defense against oral infections. Cleaning your mouth regularly will eliminate much of the bacteria and food debris that can cause tooth decay and gum disease while promoting healthy circulation to its soft tissues. A proper oral hygiene regimen includes:
- Brushing: Using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, clean your teeth, gums, cheeks, and tongue using short, gentle, circular strokes for two minutes at a time. Repeat this procedure in the morning and before bed. Be sure to wait at least thirty minutes after eating before brushing.
- Flossing: Daily flossing is a crucial part of oral hygiene because it can clean the spaces between teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach. Cut off a piece of floss and hold it tight between your hands. Slide it between two teeth and move it up, down, back, and forth against the side of either one. Move to a clean section of floss and repeat this for every pair of teeth in your mouth.
- Antibacterial mouthwash: Dentists recommend using these products because they can kill more than 99% of the germs that cause oral infections. Look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval on the label and follow the instructions listed there.
Enjoy Some Sugarless Gum
Dentists recommend chewing sugar-free gum after meals because it stimulates saliva production and helps remove food debris from the teeth. It comes in a variety of flavors such as mint and orange. Look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval on the label and pop a piece in your mouth after enjoying some candy to help flush the sugary residue out of there.
Your teeth are a crucial part of smiling for holiday photographs. By taking care of them this year, you can ensure that they’ll be just as pretty when the holidays come around again next year.
About the Practice
Distinctive Dentistry delivers excellent dental health services to the community of Dallas, GA. Led by Drs. Bobby Shirley, Clay Cannon, and Jack Bickford, the staff treats each patient with compassion and personalized care. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy during the holidays, contact the office online or dial (770) 445-6606.
