How To Keep Your Teeth Healthy During The Holidays

The holiday season is a whirlwind of a time. Between parties, family visits, cooking and shopping, your to-do list can get quite long. Make sure you aren't neglecting your oral health during this period. Remember, any damage to your teeth will stick around long after the holidays have passed.

Keep Scissors Nearby

You're probably wondering what scissors have to do with oral health, but you're also probably guilty of using your teeth as scissors. When trying to take off price tags, cut tape or open packages people often forget that their teeth aren't tools. When you do this you increase the risk of fracturing your teeth. Always try to keep a pair of scissors nearby so you'll be less tempted to use your teeth.  

Pack Carefully

If you're planning to go out of town to visit family for the holidays, make sure you are packing all your oral hygiene products. For instance, if you have gingivitis and have been prescribed a chlorhexidine mouthwash, daily use is imperative. Since this mouthwash has strong antibacterial qualities, if you were without it for a week or two, this could cause the bacteria to spread even more in your mouth.

Eat Smart

For most people, the holidays are the one time of the year when they take the leash off in terms of what they can eat. Go ahead and enjoy yourself, but make sure you are balancing it out. If you're going to load up on eggnog, candy canes, cakes and pies, counteract this with some oral health boosting foods. Leafy greens, yogurt and apples are just some of the foods that can minimize the bad bacteria in your mouth, strengthen enamel and help clean your teeth.

Don't Overdo It

As previously mentioned, the holidays are a busy time. However, some people overdo it and add to their stress level. Whether it's trying to find a way to afford gifts you really can't afford, missing sleep to make it to all the holiday parties you've been invited to or something else, this behavior can affect your oral health. If you grind your teeth, you're more likely to grind them excessively when you're stressed and if you're already at risk for gum disease, stress can increase your risk level.

Make sure you are keeping your oral health a focal point this holiday season. This won't just keep you healthy and looking great during the season, but also long after. Speak with a dentist, like one Family 1st Dental, for more information.

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