Holiday Dental Tips to Protect Your Teeth

As you get ready to take part in holiday festivities, Optima Dental Spa is wishing that you and your family stay happy, safe, and healthy. When we say “safe and healthy,” we don’t only mean in regards to the current COVID situation—we also mean in regards to your smile. This holiday season, please consider the following precautions to protect your teeth.

Consume Sugar in Moderation

The holidays are usually accompanied by an assortment of sweet treats. From home-baked pies to cookies for Santa to marshmallows and hot chocolate, there are so many goodies to be had! The trouble is, these delectable bites are usually high in sugar. Bacteria in your mouth feast upon your dietary sugar and produce acidic byproducts that damage your enamel, increasing your risk of tooth decay. You don’t need to give up all the desserts you love, but be reasonable when indulging. Additionally, remember to rinse your mouth with water and keep up with your daily dental hygiene routine so the sugar isn’t left to sit on your teeth.

Avoid Hard Candy Damage

Hard candy like candy canes, certain mints, jawbreakers, and lollipops can sometimes lead to dental emergencies like a chipped tooth or even a broken tooth when they’re bitten too hard. If you do eat a hard candy, gently suck instead of chomping down with your teeth.

Limit Sticky Treats

Within the realm of sugary treats, be particularly careful with those that have a sticky texture. For example, caramels and gummies are commonly found as stocking stuffers. Because of their stickiness, these sweets linger on your teeth and are hard to clean away. To reduce your risk of cavities, try to choose soft sweets like dark chocolate, and be sure to brush and floss every day.

Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine

With different schedules, late nights, potential guests, and possible travels, there’s a lot to mix up your normal day-to-day activities. Just make sure that no matter what is going on, you don’t let your dental routine fall by the wayside. Remind yourself that whatever is happening wherever you are, you should still brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.

Don’t Use Your Teeth As a Tool

Our teeth may be the tools we use to bite and chew our food, but that doesn’t mean we should use them for other tool-like purposes. When you’re opening your gifts this year, avoid using your teeth to tear open the packages. Leave that to the scissors and actual package openers! That way you can avoid giving yourself the present of a dental emergency.

Looking for more dental tips to get you through the holidays? Optima Dental Spa is here for you! Contact one of our locations across the Pacific Northwest, and a member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Categorised in: Healthy Diet, Oral Health, Oral Hygiene