Starting with Thanksgiving and moving into the winter holidays, there are many situations that can lead to someone putting their oral health on the back burner. With Christmas shopping and other holiday traditions, many Greensburg area patients simply don’t have the time to think about their oral health.
While you should never neglect your oral health, rest assured that taking care of your mouth doesn’t have to interfere with your holiday fun. In fact, keeping your oral health secure only requires adding a few steps to your everyday routine.
Holiday Dental Dips From Dr. Kovacevic
It’s easy to lose track of your oral health due to the distractions of the holiday season. If you have fallen into this category, and have been neglecting your oral hygiene, then the following tips can help keep your smile healthy.
Some of the best ways to keep your smile healthy and strong include:
1. Stick To Mouth-Friendly Foods And Drinks
During the holiday season, people have a habit of overindulging in sweet treats and candy. Cookies and candy canes are just a couple of the usual suspects. These treats can do quite a bit of damage to your teeth when consumed in excess, and should only be consumed in moderation.
When it comes to the winter months, we realize that avoiding sweets is simply unrealistic. We aren’t asking you to completely cut these foods from your diet. We’re merely suggesting that you eat them conservatively, as excess sugar can increase your risk for cavities and gum disease.
If you’d still like to snack, then we recommend smile-friendly snacks, such as crunchy fruits, veggies, cheese, and other low sugar foods. These snacks are considered smile-friendly because they encourage saliva production, which works to keep your teeth free of bacteria and food particles. Saliva also neutralizes acid in your mouth, and prevents plaque from accumulating on your teeth.
2. Limit Sugar In Your Diet
There is a little bit of a sugar problem running rampant. Simply put, we are consuming far too much sugar. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the amount of added sugars we eat should not be more than 10% of our total calories consumed.
The problem with sugar is the fact that it attracts bacteria to your teeth. Using sugar as fuel, these bacteria create acids that eat away at the enamel of your teeth, eventually eating through this enamel and reaching the roots of the teeth. This is known as tooth decay or dental caries. By lessening your sugar intake, you also lessen your chances of developing this dangerous condition.
3. Don’t Neglect Your Oral Hygiene Routine
When traveling, it’s easy to neglect your oral hygiene routine. We can get swept up in family gatherings and often need to be somewhere. Skipping the three or four minutes to brush and floss can be an attractive prospect, but you need to resist.
By staying committed to your regular brushing and flossing, you can rest assured that your oral health will stay secure. Sticking to your routine will guarantee that you don’t get a cavity for Christmas.
4. Don’t Abuse Your Teeth By Using Them As Tools
While our teeth are designed to withstand the natural wear and tear that comes with chewing and biting, many people further abuse their teeth by using them as a tool. Some people use their teeth to open plastic packages or rip ribbon. We’ve even heard of people using their teeth to open beer bottles.
Using your teeth for these activities puts your teeth at risk for becoming damaged. The enamel of your teeth can wear down, as well as the edges of your teeth. People who regularly use their teeth for actions they weren’t meant for often end up developing chips and fractures.
5. Don’t Forget To Pack Your Oral Hygiene Kit
Many people fly out to see relatives during the holiday season. If you are prone to waiting last minute to pack, chances are you are likely to forget something. What we’re saying is don’t let your oral hygiene kit be the thing you forget when you travel. Always be sure to pack your toothbrush and floss, as well as any other items you may use, such as a tongue scraper or water flosser.
Having all of your hygiene tools readily available will help you maintain your oral hygiene routine, allowing you to remove any plaque from your teeth before it can become a problem.
6. Schedule A Checkup After The Holidays
During the holidays, it’s understandable that you are busy and may not have the time necessary to stop by the dentist for a checkup. We get it. To make up for it, try and schedule an office visit for after the holidays. This cleaning and checkup will address any oral health concerns you may have, or which may have developed during your time away.
By scheduling a hygiene appointment, you can start 2017 off right and set the foundation for a healthy smile that will last you all year.
Contact Our Greensburg, PA Office For More Tips
Despite the joy that comes with the holiday season, we want to stress the importance of maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine. Healthy teeth can make your holiday even better, and you will be able to smile your brightest for all of those family photos.
If you have any questions or concerns about your oral health, then contact our office. We offer a full range of dental services, from teeth whitening to dentures and dental implants. To learn more, contact our office and schedule a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Del Kovacevic today.
From all of us here at Dr. Del Kovacevic Cosmetic Family Implant Dentistry, we wish you happy holidays!
Why did I become a dentist? What makes me wake up in the morning?
It's hard to answer this question and not sound cheesy, but the truth is that there is something special about the way a patient smiles at you after looking at their new crown or their new veneer, or even after a simple cleaning. There's a gleam of confidence and awareness in their eyes, and it's absolutely magical. That's why I'm a dentist.
It's hard to answer this question and not sound cheesy, but the truth is that there is something special about the way a patient smiles at you after looking at their new crown or their new veneer, or even after a simple cleaning. There's a gleam of confidence and awareness in their eyes, and it's absolutely magical. That's why I'm a dentist.