The holidays can impact not only your waistline but also your dental health. Sugary treats, yuletide libations, and simple carbohydrates found in holiday comfort foods such as mac and cheese contribute to tooth decay, plaque buildup, and gum disease. In addition to brushing and flossing every day, here are some simple tips dentists routinely recommend to make the holiday season a little more responsible.

How to Take Care of Your Teeth During the Holidays

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Keep up with your water intake to maintain saliva production. Saliva neutralizes decay-causing acids while flushing food particles and bacteria from the mouth. No matter where you’re celebrating, water’s an effective stopgap tool if you won’t have a toothbrush handy until you get home.

2. Consume Sweets With Dinner, Not After

Avoid sticky and hard candy treats that get lodged in teeth to promote decay, but if you can’t resist, enjoy them with your meal so other foods can help break them apart. For a healthier option, snack on antioxidant-rich dark chocolate.

3. Limit Alcohol

Keep your alcohol intake low since it contains acids and sugar. Alcohol also dries out the mouth and lowers inhibitions to make consuming sugary treats more likely. If you still want eggnog and holiday cocktails, alternate between sips of your beverage and sips of water so the latter doesn’t coat your teeth and gums.

4. Strengthen Teeth With Cheese

Consume calcium-rich foods that fortify tooth enamel, such as hard and soft cheeses. Always pair cheese with wine since the dairy product neutralizes vino acids to lower your tooth decay risk.

5. Eat Foods With Natural Teeth-Cleaning Abilities

Look for foods that naturally scrape the teeth when perusing holiday buffets, such as celery and carrot sticks, kiwi and apple slices, and strawberries. They feature fibers that scrub teeth to help you maintain a healthy, brilliant smile. 

 

Schedule a dentist appointment with Larry G. Hubbard, DDS after the holidays if it’s been a while since your last appointment or you suspect a dental health issue. Serving Bulloch County, GA, and the surrounding areas since 1978, this dentist offers same-day crowns, IV sedation, and other convenient services to ensure a comfortable visit. Call (912) 764-9891 today to make your appointment or check the website for patient information.