Taking off for the holidays is a great time to relax and recharge. Hopefully come January you’ll be feeling better than you did before. However, between holiday foods and chaotic schedules, your teeth suffer a little bit. Fortunately, preventing oral health problems this holiday season doesn’t have to be difficult; here are some ways you can keep your teeth in top shape this December.
Pack a Travel Dental Kit
Driving or flying home can be hectic, and it’s incredibly easy to let your daily dental hygiene routine fall by the wayside on days that you’re traveling. Getting a travel dental kit and carrying it on your person can make keeping up with that schedule a little bit easier. You can find these at any supermarket or, if you’d prefer, you could make your own with travel-sized products. You can even store them in a special carrying case for a bit of personalized flair!
Avoid Sticky and Hard Candy
One of the best things about the holiday season is the food. While candy canes and caramel are definitely delicious, they’re best enjoyed in moderation. Sticky sweets coat your mouth and feed bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. Hard candies have the same problem, but they can also cause damage to your teeth when you bite down on them. If you want to indulge a sweet tooth this December, chocolate is a great substitute. Not only is it delicious, but it also washes away from the mouth quickly and is soft enough that there’s no risk of a dental emergency.
Chew Sugarless Gum
Even if you plan ahead to take care of your teeth, finding the time to brush after meals can be hard. In a pinch, a little bit of sugarless gum can remove food particles that are stuck between your teeth. It can also cause you to generate more saliva, which can naturally clean your mouth. It’s obviously not as good as brushing and flossing, but chewing a bit of sugarless gum is better than letting food linger after a meal.
Keep these tips in mind, and you should be very happy with your teeth when the new year begins. You’ll be able to smile wide over the holidays, and for every holiday afterward.
About Our Practice
If you aren’t the biggest fan of the dentist, we at MoreSmiles Dental will commit to changing how you feel. Not only do we have three incredibly qualified dentists on staff, but we have turned our office into a spa-like environment that will make every moment of your visit as comfortable as possible. We’re also happy to treat people of all ages, so the whole family can take advantage of our top-notch dental services. If you have any questions about how best to take care of your teeth this December, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (985) 809-7645.