With the festive season in full swing, many people are out and about, enjoying meeting up with family and friends, and food and drink play a major part in celebrations. At this time of year, most of us will be eating more sugar, whether in festive foods or alcohol, and it’s a good idea to think about your dental health in Newcastle, as making a few simple changes could help protect your pearly whites. Below are some tips to ensure you enjoy the season while keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Consuming Sugary Foods
The damage caused by sugary foods is not about how much you consume but how long these sugars remain to coat your teeth. If you want something sweet, have it as part of your main meal when you already produce more saliva that helps neutralize acids produced by harmful bacteria in your mouth. The saliva also helps to wash away excess sugars and food particles.
Enjoying Sweet Treats
Sticky treats like caramels taste good but can linger longer than chocolate, which melts easily and is more quickly washed away by saliva. The longer sugars remain on your teeth, the more harmful bacteria can thrive on the leftovers. These bacteria generate acids and toxins that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Sour candies are increasingly popular but tend to be highly acidic and are best avoided.
Choose Your Drinks Carefully
Popular beverages like fresh fruit juice and sugary sodas taste good but tend to contain high levels of acid and sugar. If you want these drinks, try to consume them quickly and, ideally, drink them through a reusable straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with water if you can. Alcoholic drinks can also be quite sugary and can dry out your mouth. A dry mouth increases the risk of gum disease and tooth decay, so try to drink a glass of water after each alcoholic drink. It’s also a great way to slow down your drinking.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
If you smoke or use tobacco products, trying to give up during the festive season might seem an impossible task, but smoking does increase your risk of oral cancer, not to mention tooth discolouration, gum disease in Courtice and bad breath. You may want to think of quitting in the New Year.
Taking Care of Your Teeth and Gums during the Festive Season
Between the festivities, don’t forget to clean your teeth at least twice a day and floss once daily. It can be tempting to neglect your oral health in Clarington, especially at the end of a long evening, or simply forget. While forgetting once may not make much difference, it can set a pattern for repeatedly missing toothbrushing sessions.
Treat yourself to a new toothbrush and replace it every three months or sooner if it begins to look worn. If you are looking for gift suggestions, an electric toothbrush makes a great present for someone near and dear. It can be an excellent tool to encourage reluctant brushers to clean their teeth more frequently or for anyone with limited dexterity who might find it difficult to hold an ordinary toothbrush comfortably.
Keep a travel toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste in your purse so you can freshen up on the go or clean your teeth if you stay somewhere overnight. Otherwise, chew sugar-free gum after mealtimes as this helps promote saliva production, washing away harmful acids and sugars.
Get your New Year off to a positive start by scheduling regular checkups and hygiene appointments with us at West Bowmanville Family Dental.