How To Celebrate Teeth-friendly Christmas

The holiday season is full of festive activities and treats. From big meals to sweet treats, the holiday season is a busy one. Unfortunately, the holidays and the winter holidays, in particular, can also take a toll on your oral health.

Avoid Sugary Drinks

In addition to all the delicious holiday foods, snacks, and sweets that are around this season, there’s one other thing that could be bad for your teeth: sugary drinks like soda and juice. While water is the healthiest choice, if you love those sweet drinks, you should drink them during meals and rinse your mouth with water afterward. The less time the acids and sugar in a drink have to sit on your teeth, the better. Also, try to brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth out after eating or drinking something sweet. That way, you’ll remove most of the sticky residue right away before it can harden into plaque.

Sugar-free Gum

If you don’t have access to water or a toothbrush after you eat or have a drink, the next best thing is chewing sugarless gum. Chewing gum can help remove food particles from your teeth and also increase saliva production to wash away some of the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth. Plus, chewing gum can promote healthy jaw movement and function. Just make sure it’s a sugar-free variety to avoid cavities!

Cut Down on Candy

Sugary treats are a major part of Christmas, but try to minimize your sugar consumption to prevent cavities. When you do eat candy or sweets, opt for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, which is more likely to stick to your teeth and cause decay.

When you can’t avoid eating sticky foods, make sure you brush your teeth immediately afterward and use fluoride toothpaste. It not only helps prevent cavities but also strengthens enamel against acid attacks from plaque bacteria.

Avoid Sticky Foods

The holiday season often means indulging in sweet treats and snacking on savory treats, but you’ll want to try your best to avoid those sticky foods that could damage your teeth. Sticky items cling to your teeth and gums for a long time, which can damage the enamel and cause cavities to form. When you choose to skip these snacks this holiday season, you’ll be able to enjoy more sweets and fewer cavities!

In addition to avoiding the most sugary treats, you’ll also want to clean your teeth after meals to wash away food debris that can lead to decay. When you skip flossing altogether, this can lead to plaque buildup that can also harm your smile. Your dentist in Spanish Fork wants every patient to have a healthy smile that will last for years to come, so be sure to share these tips with your loved ones as well.

If you want to know more about good oral care habits, schedule a consultation with our dentist in Spanish Fork, UT, by calling us at (385) 448-1500 or book your appointment online. We can’t wait to see you soon and help you have a smile you’re proud of for the holiday season and beyond!