November and December tend to go by in warp speed thanks to the multitude of holidays that descend around this time of year. The holidays bring festivities, parties, events, and more. Being prepared to face all these activities with confidence starts with a healthy smile.
That’s why we have compiled these dental tips for the holidays to keep in mind.
Top 10 Tips
While you may love your dentist, you probably don’t want to visit them more than you have to. From healthy eating to good oral habits, here are some things to keep in mind as you navigate the holiday season.
1. Avoid cracking nuts with your teeth
Sure, the protein you get from nuts keeps your bones and muscles strong, but don’t shell those nuts with your teeth. That’s what nutcrackers are for! Nut shells are very hard surfaces, and can lead to serious tooth and gum damage. You could even crack a tooth. To avoid an emergency dental visit, shell those delicious nuts before you snack on them.
2. Stay away from chewy treats
Holiday candy platters can seem irresistible as they’re passed around, but those sticky substances can cling to your tooth enamel and lead to cavities if you don’t brush right away. What’s worse: caramels and taffies can pull out fillings. That’s the last thing you want to contend with during the holidays.
3. Open packages and bottles with proper tools
It’s hard to resist ripping into a holiday package shipped across the country from your cousin, but grab the proper tools to open it up first. Same with bottles: take caps off with bottle openers and not your teeth. Cracked teeth can lead to root canals or crowns, so grab the scissors and bottle openers instead of facing an unexpected and expensive cosmetic repair job.
4. Don’t chew ice cubes
Just like it’s not advisable to chew on hard candies, avoid chewing on ice in your holiday cocktail drink. Let the ice dissolve slowly to avoid chipped or cracked teeth. Stress fractures can develop over time if you’re in the habit of crunching on ice.
5. Nix the nail biting
We know you’re stressing out about having your family all in one room for the holidays, but try to avoid nibbling on your nails. Chronic nail biting can lead to teeth grinding, jaw issues, clenching, sensitive teeth, and facial pain.
6. Keep up with your daily oral health routine
Just because you’re busy with holiday shopping and work parties doesn’t mean you should fall behind on your oral health care routine. Same as always: brush, floss, and gargle twice a day.
7. Stay hydrated
Drinking water has never been more important than during the busyness of the holiday season when you’re out and about. You want to feel good as well as look your best, so stay hydrated to keep your skin supple and blemish-free. Water also freshens breath and aids in digestion, plus it rinses away freshly-formed bacteria, which helps you avoid cavities.
8. Stick with clear beverages
Red wine may have cancer-fighting antioxidants, along with the cranberry juice in your cosmopolitan, but these beverages also contain potent elements that can stain your teeth and ruin your hard-earned white smile. To avoid staining your teeth, stick with light-colored or clear beverages. Many alcoholic and soda beverages have a lot of acid, which can wear down the enamel of your teeth. If you still want to enjoy your favorite drinks this holiday season, do so while nibbling on some cheese between sips. The alkaline in the cheese works to neutralize the acid in those beverages.
9. Take second helpings of turkey
Turkey is certainly tasty but did you also know it’s also great for your chompers? Turkey happens to be a good source of protein and phosphorus, which helps your body fight off tooth decay while keeping your teeth healthy and strong.
10. Opt for veggies
Reach for broccoli sprouts and carrot sticks when the veggie tray is passed your way at the holiday work party, as these crunchy veggies have lots of Vitamin A to strengthen your enamel.
Book Your Dental Appointment with ashby dental Before the Holidays
If you’re due for a six-month cleaning, get in now before the craziness of the holidays sets in. We welcome you to book your appointment with Ashby Dental in Elmwood today at (510) 549-0133. Happy Holidays from the team at Ashby Dental!
