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Tips for Enjoying Teeth-Friendly Christmas Celebrations

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Tips for Enjoying Teeth Friendly Christmas Celebrations

During the holiday season, there are plenty of things to do to ensure that you and your family will have a smile that’s healthy and beautiful. Here are several dental tips for the holidays that will help you have a great holiday season while still keeping your teeth healthy and sparkling!

Drink Water Often (Especially After Snacks Or Holiday Drinks)

During the holiday season, there’s a lot of eating and drinking going on. The good news is that staying hydrated helps neutralize acids and sugars inside your mouth to cut back on your risk of tooth decay.

The best time to drink a glass of water is after eating a meal. This helps prevent your mouth from becoming too dry and allowing harmful bacteria to take over. Drinking water also helps wash away food particles and sugars from your teeth, thus preventing tooth decay.

Another way to boost your dental care during Christmas is to rinse with water after drinking warm apple cider, eggnog, or other beverages. Rinsing cuts back on sugar across your teeth and also reduces the chances of tooth stain.

Avoid Overindulging In Sugary Foods

Taking steps to avoid overindulging in sugary foods during teeth-friendly Christmas celebrations will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy.

It’s easy to eat too many sugary foods during the holidays. Some foods are especially bad for your teeth. For example, chewing hard candy can chip teeth and cause weak ones to break. Chewing on sticky textures can leave a residue that makes your teeth vulnerable to dental decay.

When possible, you may want to opt for savory snacks like cheese or softer textures like pudding instead of brittle.

Sing Christmas Carols While Your Kids Brush Their Teeth

Did you know that most of us only brush our teeth for about 30 seconds? Aim for two minutes twice a day, regardless of your age!

Taking the time to sing Christmas carols while your kids are brushing your teeth can turn a mundane task into a fun family ritual. The longer the song is, the more likely your kids are to brush for as long as they’re supposed to. With the kids out of school, now is a great time to re-vamp their dental care during Christmas.

While you might not be able to sing when you brush your own teeth, you can hum to yourself or listen to a song on the radio. Better yet, invest in an electric toothbrush with a built-in timer to make sure everyone is brushing as long as they’re supposed to.

Limit Snacking Throughout the Day

During the holidays, limit how often you’re eating and snacking throughout the day. And not just because of the potential holiday-induced weight. Each time you eat something, it produces acids and bacteria in your mouth, which have the potential to contribute to bad breath, gingivitis, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Instead of grazing all day long, snack at specific timeframes. Then brush or rinse your mouth out with water afterward. Make sure you have a good oral hygiene routine. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Make sure you’re using a fluoride toothpaste, too.

Touch Up on Your Whiteing

Do you have a take-home whitening kit? Now is a great time to touch up before the holiday parties get here. Simply apply a dot of gel into each reservoir of your bleaching tray and wear it for an hour a day. If you’re out of gel, stop by our Carlsbad dentist office to purchase a refill.

Don’t Forget Your Dental Checkup

Has it been longer than six months since your last dental exam and cleaning? Now is a great time to brush up on dental care (during Christmas) before your insurance benefits reset on January 1st. If you’re due for a checkup, call DeAngelis Family Dentistry today. Our Carlsbad office has limited openings now through the end of the year!

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