Tips to Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays
Tips to Keeping Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays
The holidays are a time for get-togethers with family and friends. Great company, delicious food, and gifts are all part of holiday celebrations. You might wonder how you can stay healthy during the holidays. You can keep your teeth healthy and white while enjoying holiday parties and get-togethers by utilizing these tips.
Make Wise Food Choices
Opt for fruits and vegetables instead of a plate full of sugary treats at parties. Your teeth and your waistline will thank you for it. Broccoli and carrots are good for your teeth because they contain vitamin A, which strengthens your enamel. Turkey is another great food to eat because it contains protein and phosphorus, which can help your body fight tooth decay.
Peppermints, candy canes, and other hard candies are tasty, but they can crack or chip your teeth if you bite down on them wrong. Instead of biting into hard candy, let it dissolve in your mouth to prevent tooth cracking and chipping. Remember to brush your teeth after eating any type of candy.
Likewise, you shouldn’t use your teeth to crack nutshells. Many nutshells are hard and can cause serious tooth and gum damage. Instead, use a nutcracker to remove nutshells before snacking on the nuts within.
Choose Beverages Carefully
Soda contains a lot of sugar, which is never healthy for your teeth. If you want to enjoy a fizzy beverage, try some sparkling water instead. If you choose to treat yourself to a soda, drink it through a straw to keep most of the acid off your teeth.
If you enjoy wine, be mindful that red wine can stain your teeth. You may want to opt for white wine instead. If you choose to drink red wine, drink it with food to minimize the amount of wine that gets on your teeth. Remember to brush your teeth well after drinking red wine.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as a Tool
As much as you might want to rip into your gift from your spouse, don’t use your teeth to open packages. Doing so can lead to tooth chipping or cracking. Before opening gifts, grab a pair of scissors so you can easily open packages without using your teeth.
Keep a Routine
The holidays are a hectic time of year, but it’s important to keep up a good dental hygiene routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss once a day to remove plaque from your teeth. It’s even better if you can brush your teeth after every meal and snack you consume. Carry a toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste with you so you can brush your teeth wherever you are. If it’s not possible to brush your teeth after a meal, chew some sugarless gum, which helps flush out food particles and boosts saliva production.
The holidays are a fun time of year with parties and get-togethers to attend. You can keep your teeth healthy by making wise choices and utilizing these tips. If your six-month dental checkup and cleaning is due during the holidays, don’t skip it. It’s always best to catch dental problems early. If your six-month checkup isn’t due during the holidays but you have questions about your teeth, schedule an appointment to talk with your dentist.
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