As the holiday season rolls around, our Glendale dental team is here with some helpful tips on protecting your smile. We know that it can seem especially difficult to make good dental dietary decisions this time of year, but there are a few simple things you can do!
Be Aware of Problem Ingredients
We tend to be surrounded by treats and indulgences of all kinds around the holidays. You may find that you have access to more candy, cookies, and cake (especially fruitcake!) than normal. You want to keep this in mind as you make dietary choices during the holidays, because treats that are especially sugary or acidic can give harmful oral bacteria a boost.
And it’s not just about candies and cookies—acidic wines, ciders, and liquors will also affect your dental enamel. These treats can leave color deposits on your teeth, and leave your smile susceptible to developing cracks or chips.
Rinse Regularly
One of the simplest and most effective things that you can do to boost oral health is to rinse your smile with water throughout the day. Obviously, rinsing helps to clear away dental debris, food particles, and plaque, but it is also health-boosting because it prompts saliva production. So, make it a point to rinse after eating or drinking, especially after consuming sugar treats.
Indulge Strategically
Most of us are not going to cut sugar out of our diets completely this holiday season, but the good news is that there are easy steps you can take to protect your smile anyway. First of all, do not brush or pick at your teeth for 20 to 30 minutes after you finish consuming something acidic; during this period of time, your dental enamel is actually softer than usual. And if you are going to consume a sweet treat, try to do so in a specific, time-limited sitting. The goal is to minimize the amount of time that oral bacteria are active in your mouth.
As always, our Glendale dentists are happy to provide you with additional information, and to answer any questions that you may have. Give us a call to get started!