#1 Practice Holiday Oral Health Hygiene
One of the best ways you can keep your mouth healthier during the holidays is to continue to do the following:
- Drink fluoridated water. Fluoride prevents tooth decay by strengthening your teeth and making them resistant to the action of acids.
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
- Use ADA (American Dental Association) recommended mouthwash
- Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day for 2 minutes each time. If you brush your teeth too soon after eating or drinking, you can actually harm your teeth. You should wait 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing your teeth.
- Floss daily between the teeth to remove dental plaque. If you do not use floss properly, you can actually injure your gums. Be sure to use gentle movements when flossing and be careful not to slam the floss against your gums.
Tip: You can always carry a traveling-size oral health kit to carry with you if you to make sure you stay healthy wherever you go.
#2 Limit The Amount Of Alcohol You Drink
Excessive drinking affects your oral health by:
- Staining your teeth
- Risk of tooth decay
- Risk of plaque buildup
- Drying your mouth: Saliva keeps teeth moist and helps to remove plaque and bacteria from the tooth’s surface.
Tip: If you do drink alcohol during the holidays make sure you neutralize your mouth by constantly drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum.
#3 Moderate Your Diet
Maintaining is balanced diet can greatly benefit the health of your teeth by:
- Limiting your soda intake: Soda is full of sugar and acids that fuel the bacteria that decay your teeth. Dark sodas may also stain your teeth over time.
- Avoiding gummy snacks: The sticky texture of gummy snacks can cause them to stick to your teeth which gives the bacteria in your mouth easy access to the sugar, leading to cavities.
- Not constantly snacking: Frequent snacking means that you are giving the bacteria in your mouth more opportunities to feed on sugar and produce acids.
Its is important to note that if you have been diagnosed with diabetes you may be predisposed to having periodontal (gum) disease, an infection of the gum and bone that hold the teeth in place. Maintaining youe blood sugar and other symptoms ensures an effective health care routine.
Tip: If you are eating sugary and acidy foods, drink water right after to rinse your mouth. You can also try eating healthier alternatives like sugar-free drinks, fruits, and vegetables instead of foods and beverages with high levels of sugar.
#4 Make A Checkup Appointment With Your Doctor
Going to the dentist for preventive care twice a year is critical to your oral health. One of those checkups can be after the holiday season. If you are located in Raleigh, NC, or surrounding communities, Sedation Dental Care offers a wide range of preventive and restorative treatments including but not limited to the following:
- Dental cleanings
- Cosmetic dentures
- Precision-guided implants
- Teeth whitening
- Emergency dental care
Are These Treatments Right For You?
Everyone benefits from dental exams and cleanings, regardless of their current oral health. You may be a candidate for teeth whitening if you have discolored or stained teeth and are looking to improve the appearance of your smile. If you have decayed or missing teeth your dentist will help you determine which corrective procedure is right for you. We understand that accidents happen and we want support you through any dental emergency. Some examples of dental emergencies include broken teeth, loose teeth, knocked-out teeth, dental pain, and broken dental restorations.
If you are interested in receiving a protective or restorative procedure or have a dental emergency during the holidays contact Sedation Dental Care at Raleigh Smile Center by calling 919-783-9686. We want to help you take the first step in overcoming your fears, getting out of pain, and back to smiling, inside and out.