The holiday season is here, and we hope all our patients here at West Bowmanville Family Dental have an enjoyable time. We’d also like to ensure your smile stays healthy and bright, so here are some easy tips to follow.
- Steer Clear of Fizzy Drinks
Soda and pop are popular beverages during the holiday season but are often packed with sugars or acids that can damage your teeth. If you want one of these beverages, consider using a paper or reusable straw to reduce contact with your teeth.
- Watch your Wine Consumption
Wine is often present at celebrations, but red and white wine can stain your teeth. Even though white wine is clear, it is acidic, and the acids soften tooth enamel allowing staining foods and beverages to penetrate the tooth more easily. One tip is to sip water frequently while enjoying a glass of wine.
- Eat more Turkey
A beautifully cooked turkey is a welcome festive treat, and it is great for your dental health. Turkey contains protein and phosphorus and helps keep your teeth strong and healthy, so indulge!
- Approach Candy Canes with Caution
Hard candy canes are everywhere at this time of year, but biting down on a cane can easily chip or break a tooth. Also, hard candy dissolves very slowly, leaving teeth coated with sugar for longer, so be sure to brush afterwards.
- Eat Your Veggies
Instead of loading up on sugary foods, fill your plate with seasonal fresh veggies. Carrots and broccoli are especially good as they contain vitamin A, helping to strengthen your tooth enamel.
- Choose a Cheese Board
A thoughtfully chosen cheese board is tempting and great for teeth. Cheese is packed with calcium, strengthening tooth enamel, and it helps to neutralize harmful acids. Cheese is a great way to finish a meal.
- Pack Tooth-Friendly Stockings
If stockings are part of your family tradition, opt for gifts that aren’t sugary or instead only include one sweet treat.
- Use the Proper Tools Not Your Teeth
Newcastle dentists often see people with cracked teeth because they have tried to open bottles or gifts, or even worse, tried to crack nuts with their teeth. It can be an expensive and painful mistake, so use the proper tools instead.
- Feast on Fruit
Sugary desserts are part of many holidays celebrations, but if you are hosting, try to prepare just one sweet treat plus a big platter of fresh fruit. After a heavy meal, fruit is often a welcome choice and can satisfy the craving for something sweet to finish a meal.
- Resist Snacking Between Meals
Dentists in Clarington will often see patients who have great oral hygiene but have problems with tooth decay, and it can be due to frequent snacking. The temptation is greater over the holidays when foods are often left out between meals. Try to resist, or if you want a snack, choose cheese or fresh fruit or crunchy veggies and yogurt or hummus-based dip.
- Place Less Focus on Food-Based Celebrations
Over the holidays, celebrations are often centred around food. Instead, focus on other activities like board games, crafting projects or a family walk. It is better for your teeth and waistline.
- Don’t Forget to Brush
Regular routines can go out of the window during the holidays, but make sure oral care is one routine you never skip. Regular preventive dental care in Courtice is the best way to ensure your smile remains healthy and bright, not just for the holidays but all year round.