Dental Care Tips for the Holiday Season
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine can be difficult year-round, but it can be even harder to stay on top of brushing and flossing during the busy holiday season. It’s important to practice good oral hygiene between visits and after undergoing cosmetic dentistry makeovers at our offices in Bensalem, Montgomeryville, and Bala Cynwyd, PA.
At Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics, we advise you on how to keep your smile healthy during the holidays. Our recommendations include undergoing routine general dentistry services to allow us to identify any dental problems early. Read on to learn more dental care tips for the holiday season.
Brush Twice a Day
Brushing twice a day is key to removing damaging plaque and bacteria from the surface of the teeth. This can reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease, and keeps your breath fresh. During the holiday season, you may feel too tired after a party or event to brush your teeth. But remember, brushing your teeth only takes two minutes and it offers short-term and lifelong oral health benefits.
Floss Once a Day
Flossing daily removes debris from between the teeth and below the gum line. This can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease, a serious dental condition that can cause gum recession and even tooth loss if left untreated. You can floss in the morning or at night, but flossing at night offers additional benefits by removing harmful plaque and bacteria from the mouth before you go to sleep.
Don’t Skip Your Next Dental Appointment
If your next dental exam and professional cleaning falls during the holiday season, you may be tempted to skip it. However, it is important to attend dental check-ups every six months. If you are unable to attend your routine appointment during the holidays, make sure to schedule one in January.
Be Aware of How Sugar and Starches Can Affect Your Teeth
Foods that are heavy in sugar and starches, like many of the cookies and treats that we eat during the holidays, are more likely to leave plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that attracts dental bacteria because they feed on it.
While it’s impossible to expect people to avoid eating special treats during the holidays, it is especially important to brush and floss to remove these food particles from the teeth. When plaque is left on the teeth for more than a day, it hardens into a substance called calculus, which is much more difficult to remove and can increase the risk of dental cavities and gum disease.
Be Aware of How Certain Foods and Beverages Can Stain Your Teeth
Red wine, coffee, and dark-colored teas and sodas are all examples of beverages that are commonly consumed during the holidays. While festive, they are more likely to cause tooth discoloration.
If you consume these drinks, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water to neutralize any acids or food dyes as you drink them, and don’t forget to brush your teeth before going to bed.
On Behalf of Kellyn Hodges Orthodontics: Have a Joyous Holiday Season
We hope you have a great and festive time this holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2024. If you’re due for an appointment or want to get your smile off to a good start in January, contact our dental offices to schedule an exam.
