Are you planning to travel to see family and friends this holiday season? While this is a time for fun, excitement, and making memories, it is also a time for sugar, starch, and a host of other things you probably don’t consume any other time of year. If you want to make sure your smile is ready for 2020 and that big New Year’s Eve party awaiting you when you return home, let a dentist share 4 ways you can keep your teeth healthy while visiting grandma this year.
Try to Limit the Sweets You Consume
It is highly unlikely that you will make it through the holidays without eating a least one slice of your grandma’s red velvet cake but when you do, make sure you eat it with your main meal. While this might seem unconventional, it will keep sugar from sitting on your teeth because of the increased saliva production in your mouth. As you eat, your salivary glands are put to work, flushing out anything that comes into contact with your teeth, tongue, and oral cavity. Since sugar likes to stick to the chewing surfaces of your teeth, your saliva will keep it moving, limiting your chances of developing tooth decay and cavities. Just remember, limit your sweets and enjoy that single slice…not the whole cake.
Drink Plenty of Water
Another way to keep your salivary glands working at an optimal level is to drink plenty of water. Wine, soda, coffee, and tea will likely be readily available, but none of these beverages will provide what your body needs. Water not only keeps you hydrated, but it also washes away harmful bacteria and food particles that can stay on your teeth and lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. You can feel free to enjoy a nice glass of wine while chatting with your best friend but remember to keep a glass of water nearby to wash away any residue left behind.
Keep Brushing and Flossing
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing should continue to occur in the morning and at night while you’re away. Just because you aren’t in your normal house, going about your normal routine doesn’t mean you can throw out your regime. It takes only a few minutes of your time to properly care for your oral health, so even if everyone is watching your favorite holiday movie, who says you can’t grab your toothbrush and floss and continue to watch while keeping your mouth clean and refreshed?
Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools
What is a tool? Most people would say a hammer, screwdriver, scissors, or pliers, but the chances of someone mentioned teeth are slim. There is a reason for this. Your teeth are meant to tear into food, not packages or the hard shell of a nut. There are tools made to take care of all these problems, so instead of thinking of your teeth as something like a Swiss Army Knife that can do everything, avoid chipping, cracking, or breaking a tooth and let the real tools do their job.
If you stick to these four simple tips, you’ll make it through the holidays cavity and damage-free.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Jones and his wife, Dr. Giuliana Diaz Jones are a husband and wife team who lead Premier Dental in Vero Beach. As dental professionals, they can treat a variety of problems and offer comprehensive services to help patients with all types of dental needs. As believers in preventive care, regular dental checkups and cleanings are pivotal to maintaining good oral health. Not only will they check and clean your teeth, but Dr. Adam and Dr. Giuliana will provide tips and tricks to keep your teeth healthy at home and while away for the holidays. To learn more, contact us at (772) 774-3463.