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Keep Your Teeth Strong During The Holidays
The holidays are the sweetest time of year, especially when it comes to calories. There's something about the season that inspires us to enjoy all those delicious treats or another cocktail, as we spend the rest of the year denying ourselves. But every indulgence comes at a cost, whether it shows up on our waistline or in our mouth. This can make enjoying those goodies challenging for those with oral health issues. If that sounds like you, then never fear. Bumming with Bobcat explains how to safeguard your teeth while still enjoying your favorite foods and beverages.
First Tip: Stay Away From the Sticky Stuff
We're referring to the kind of treats with gummy, gooey ingredients that cling to your teeth and refuse to let go. These can erode your enamel while causing cavities and toothaches. Avoiding these dental time bombs will still leave you plenty of options on the average holiday cookie tray.
Second Tip: Take Your Sugar Solid
The good people at Colgate recommend staying away from sweet drinks like soda and fruit juice, as these products soak the teeth in a sugary bath that can cause lasting damage. Stick with sugar-free options instead. If you must drink something with sugar in it, then rinse your mouth with water or an anti-cavity dental product afterward.
Third Tip: Eat Dessert Now, Not Later
While this bit of advice may sound too good to be true, it's actually based on sound nutritional principles. Enjoying those delicious treats with regular food limits the impact of sugar on your oral health. So have a cookie with your baked ham or turkey sandwich this holiday season.
Fourth Tip: Have Toothbrush, Will Travel
You don’t have to wait to brush until bedtime. Ideally, you want to brush after you eat, but not too soon, and preferably between dinner and bedtime. This should also apply when you’re away from home. Dentists recommend carrying a portable oral health kit with you that includes a brush, a travel-sized tube of toothpaste, and a few feet of floss. That way you can duck into the bathroom to brush up on your oral hygiene whenever you like.
Fifth Tip: Give the Good Bugs a Hand
Did you know your mouth is filled with bugs? It's true, though nowadays most people use the more scientific term "bacteria" to refer to our microscopic companions. Like action movie characters, bacteria come in both "good guy" and "bad guy" forms. The bad kind feeds on sugar and promotes tooth decay, while the good kind just loves the nutrients found in most cheeses. So give the right side a winning hand by enjoying a few slices of cheddar during your festivities.
Sixth Tip: Loosen Up
Unmanaged stress makes many of us clench or grind our teeth, often without knowing it. This can lead to all sorts of dental issues, including tooth chipping and jaw pain. So catch yourself if you start to tense up and take it easy instead. If that’s not enough, talk to your dentist about a mouthguard. You can also look for other ways to reduce stress. Like saying no more often, getting more sleep, and even by keeping a cleaner and tidier home. Try decluttering, deep cleaning and reorganizing your home to make it more comfortable. And don’t forget your furniture. Dirty or allergy-ridden furniture doesn’t help matters, and an expert cleaner can remove any lingering bacteria. Use a site like Angi to track down local specialists, and be sure to ask if they have any current discounts.
Seventh Tip: Stop Smoking
Tobacco products are murder on your teeth, the CDC informs. This is true not only of cigarettes but cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff as well. These dangers are aside from the many other ways tobacco can harm your body. So give yourself the gift of better health this year and kick the habit for good.
Oral Health
Here are some tips for overcoming these problems and enjoying robust oral health going forward:
●
Do everything possible to care for
your teeth, not only during the holidays but all year round.
●
Look into dental care options available from public programs or private foundations.
● Sign up for dental insurance if possible, either through your employer or by finding coverage through a family member.
The holidays are about having fun. So enjoy a
few treats while you can, then get ready for a new year and a new commitment to
your oral health.