Maintaining good oral health during the holidays can feel impossible at times between all the sweet treats and the hectic schedule, it’s no wonder many people allow their oral health to become secondary. Even so, oral health problems don’t take a vacation. Neglecting your beam can lead you to a dental emergency that will put a damper on the season. Continue reading to learn about four holiday tips to help you keep your smile safe this season.
Tip #1: Regularly Brush Your Teeth
A shift in your schedule may make it difficult to keep up with your routine. This can have devastating results on your smile. Forgetting to brush for two minutes every morning and every night will allow bacteria to flourish. This will make you more likely to develop cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Make a point of brushing your teeth twice per day to avoid these issues.
Tip #2: Floss Often
Many people skip the dental floss because they don’t think it’s necessary to keep their pearly whites in good condition. Unfortunately, brushing alone isn’t enough to keep your smile healthy. If you don’t floss, this will leave 40% of plaque on your teeth. The more plaque that is left on your pearly whites, the more likely you will be to develop oral health problems. For this reason, it is crucial to floss at least once per day, preferably after your last meal.
Tip #3: Skip Sugary, Sticky, and High-Carb Foods
Foods that are full of sugar like cake, cookies, and pie can do a lot of damage to your smile. This is because the bacteria that cause cavities feed on the sugars in these foods and release acids that attack your enamel. Since your enamel is what protects your pearly whites from harm, this makes your smile more susceptible to decay. Starchy foods break down into sugar in the mouth, so they can harm your beam in the same way. It’s best to avoid these foods as well as sticky treats since they are difficult to wash away.
Tip #4: Eat Protein and Calcium-Packed Foods
Instead of eating lots of sweet, sticky, and starchy foods, fill up on things that are full of protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals that your smile needs to remain healthy. Some examples of these include:
- Fruits and vegetables – This includes carrots, celery, apples, asparagus, broccoli, pears, peas, and Brussels sprouts.
- Dairy products – Low-fat or fat-free yogurt, milk, and cheese are all good options that are full of calcium.
- Lean meats – This includes chicken, beef, turkey, and other meats.
- Leafy greens – Kale and spinach are great options.
- Fish – This includes salmon and cod.
Be sure to keep these four tips in mind throughout the holidays. This will help you protect your smile so you can enjoy the season to the fullest!
About the Practice
Bright Smiles Family Dentistry is here to give you the care you and other Brookfield patients need to prevent oral health problems and keep your beam in great condition. They are led by Drs. Praveena Muddana and Sumit Chanana, two skilled oral health professionals who are passionate about providing exceptional treatment options. Visit Bright Smiles Family Dentistry’s website or call (262) 563-9100 if you want more information on their services or to schedule an appointment.