3 Ways To Keep Your Oral Health In Mind Over The Holidays

Dentist Blog

With the holidays on the horizon, it is time to start preparing for celebrations with family and friends. That means that you not only need to break out your decorations and festive clothes, but you also have to make choices about what you are going to eat. During the holidays, many people are mindful of weight gain; however, another important consideration is your oral health. Sweet seasonal treats are a great part of holiday traditions and you do not have to turn away from them; you simply have to moderate your intake of certain things. Here are three ways to keep your oral health in mind over the holidays. 

Use a straw to drink dark beverages.

Dark beverages such as wine, soda, and coffee are delicious, but they are also very sugary and acidic. These two harmful properties of these beverages can degrade your tooth enamel. These drinks contain highly pigmented chromogens that can stain your teeth as well. You can avoid these harmful effects by drinking these beverages through a straw. Take care not to backwash the drink against your teeth. This allows you to enjoy all the flavors of the season without sacrificing your white smile. It is also a good idea to rinse out your mouth after you have these kinds of beverages.

Dilute the negative effects of sugar by drinking water.

In a perfect world, you would be able to brush and floss after every meal, especially one that is heavy on sugars. However, you do not always have time to do this. Instead, you can drink a big glass of water after every meal and snack. Not only do this keep you hydrated, but it also helps to dilute the negative effects of sugar that is left behind on your teeth. Water helps to wash away some of the food residues that are left behind after you eat, making it easier to brush your teeth later on.

Save a crunchy piece of produce for dessert.

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but it also may be appreciated by your dentist as well. Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables is helpful for your teeth because the vigorous chewing stimulates saliva production. The saliva bathes your teeth and helps to remove some of the food residues that are left behind after you finish eating a meal. Have an apple or pear after you finish up a big meal.

For further assistance, contact a local dentist, such as Hart Dayton DMD.

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4 November 2015

Mouth Rinses Are Not Just for Bad Breath

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.