The holidays are a time when you want to see your family and friends, watch heartwarming movies, and exchange gifts – not rush yourself to an emergency appointment at the dentist! To make sure this holiday season does not sabotage your dental health, follow these tips to avoid this season's biggest threats to teeth and gums.
Eating Sugary Treats
Even if you're someone who usually says "no thank you" to sugary treats, you'll probably indulge a bit more over the holidays. You don't have to forego cookies and candies completely, but do follow these tips to reduce your exposure to sugar:
Forgetting to Brush and Floss
Late-night holiday parties can leave you exhausted, and you may be tempted to climb into bed without first brushing your teeth. If you're one of the many people who are prone to this bad habit, consider setting an alarm on your phone so that it rings and reminds you to brush before going to bed. Also, ask your partner or a family member to remind you to brush your teeth before bed each night. Letting the day's sugar rest on your teeth all night is almost certain to lead to tooth decay and gum disease, which really are not the best holiday gifts!
Opening Packages With Your Teeth
Those plastic packages that kids' toys and kitchen items come in sure are pesky to open. Your teeth might be the first go-to tool when you can't get one to budge, but this could easily result in a chipped tooth or broken filling. Prepare yourself for a season of tough packages by putting a mini set of scissors or a nail clipper on your key chain. Use it not only for plastic packages, but also for holiday gift ribbon and other things you might be tempted to bite through.
By being careful with sugar, stepping up your brushing routine, and avoiding opening packages with your teeth, you can make this busy holiday season less of a threat to your oral health. For more information, contact local professionals like Hughes Thomas R.
Share23 November 2016
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
