At this point, you’ll get to enjoy the big December holidays pretty soon. You’re likely excited for parties, good cheer, and family get-togethers! That said, this month’s festivities do come with risks. The truth is that the holidays harm your oral health. If you don’t stay careful, they’ll end up harming your teeth and gums. So, then, let your Chevy Chase dentist offer some helpful advice. Here’s a primer on why holidays hurt your mouth, including how best to respond.
How Do the Holidays Harm Oral Health?
To put things simply, winter holidays encourage bad dental habits. The most notable of these are poor oral hygiene and holiday grazing. Left unchecked, the two practices put your grin at severe risk.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Often enough, it isn’t hard to maintain good oral hygiene. You just make time to brush and floss every day. However, the holidays can throw this groove for a loop.
As fun as they are, holidays are disruptive. They involve travel plans and games that upset regular routines. While you track them, you might forget to look after your chompers. The result would be plaque buildup that can cause cavities, gum disease, and worse.
Holiday Grazing
True, all-day snacking isn’t unique to the holidays. People can graze on junk food during any season. However, holiday grazing is especially bad for your mouth.
Remember, winter is filled with all sorts of sweets. That means families will offer peppermints, gingerbread, and other treats around this time. However, such things are packed with tooth-eroding sugar. Grazing on them will make cavities likely and may cause dry mouth. From there, bad bacteria could infect your teeth and gums.
Helpful Ways to Protect Your Grin
Luckily, the holidays don’t have to ruin your grin. You can keep your smile safe by adopting some helpful tricks. In particular, consider those below:
- Only Eat at Meal Times – Rather than graze, only eat at meal times. You’ll then be less likely to binge on holiday junk food.
- Have Mouth-Healthy Items – While it may be the holidays, you don’t need to gorge on sweets. Consider tooth-friendly alternatives like cheese or veggies.
- Drink Lots of Water – If you do end up snacking, always drink water afterward. It lacks sugar, and rinsing with it will remove debris from your teeth.
- See Your Local Dentist – Before the holidays fully begin, see your dentist for a checkup. They’ll strengthen your smile for any future feasting.
While the holidays are bad for oral health, you don’t need to be passive. Use the tricks above so your mouth will enjoy this time like you do!
About the Practice
Avant Dentistry is based in Chevy Chase, MD. Led by Dr. Annie Yu, our practice is always eager to give patients truly exceptional smiles. We do so through a unique and comprehensive range of treatments, which span preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and even emergency dentistry. You can thus rest easy; we’ll absolutely help your grin thrive! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (240)-743-4421.