The festive season is upon us, as are the parties, social events, drinks and endless food! While this time of year is a lot of fun, our teeth are particularly vulnerable. This is mostly due to the abundance of naughty Christmas treats and hectic schedules.
We bet the last thing you want these holidays is to be worrying about your and your family’s oral health. So, we’ve put together a list of helpful oral health tips for the festive season for healthy, happy smiles.
5 Oral Health Tips For The Holidays
Below are a few ways to keep tooth decay, gum disease and dental emergencies at bay these holidays.
Up Your Water Intake
Staying hydrated is vital for your oral health year-round. However, it pays to be extra conscious of it during a time where routines can sometimes go out the window. It also helps wash sugar, acid and bacteria off your teeth, preventing decay.
A good way to stay on top of your water intake at Christmas is to have a glass of water between every alcoholic or sugary beverage.
Consume Treats in Moderation
What would the festive season be without the holiday treats we love and enjoy? At our Mona Vale dental clinic, we believe treats should be enjoyed, but in moderation. Consuming sticky, sugary or acidic foods and drinks doesn’t need to be bad for your oral health if you do it mindfully and maintain good oral hygiene.
Sticky foods, like lollies and dried fruit, are harder for your saliva to wash off your teeth. As the sticky food remnants linger on your teeth for a while, it increases the risk of damage to your teeth. So, limit your consumption of foods like these, and make sure you keep up with your twice day toothbrushing.
Say Yes To Tooth-Friendly Options
It’s not all bad news when it comes to festive food and drinks. There are usually plenty of options to enjoy that are fresh, healthy and nutritious. For example, crunchy fruit and veggies provide nutrients whilst also being good for your teeth. Dairy snacks like cheeses and yoghurt contain calcium which can help remineralise your teeth.
We tend to want to ‘treat ourselves’ around this time of year. Just ensure sure you’re saying yes to the tooth-friendly options too!
Protect Your Teeth During Sport
If you and/or your kids are making the most of the summer holidays to play footy, rugby or any other contact sport, it pays to protect your teeth. Wearing a mouthguard, specifically, a custom-made one can help protect your teeth and jaw from impact-related injuries. The last thing anybody needs is a trip to the emergency dentist at Christmas time.
Stick To Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Last but not least on our list of oral health tips is maintaining your oral hygiene routine. This time of year is a good time to take a break from a lot of things, but your oral hygiene routine shouldn’t be one of them. We know that the festive season can be a busy time of year for many people and schedules can get pretty hectic! However, make sure you prioritise brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once a day.
Staying consistent with your oral hygiene regime through the holidays also ensures that good habits don’t come undone. This is especially true for kids!
Northern Beaches Family Dentist
At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we aim to help you and your family achieve and maintain your best possible oral health. Our family-friendly dental practice has a warm, welcoming environment and an exceptionally caring and gentle dental team.
We hope you found these oral health tips useful to help keep your and your family’s teeth healthy this festive season.
Is your New Year’s resolution to get on top of your and your family’s oral health in 2021? We’d love to help you! Please contact us to book an appointment and experience the Beaches Mona Vale difference.
