Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a New Year are just around the corner, which means a feast of tasty treats you’ve probably been looking forward to all year. Your taste buds are ecstatic and ready to savor every bite during the holidays. Your teeth and gums, on the other hand, are trembling in fear of what’s to come.
Facts You Should Know:
- Long-term use of sweetened foods and beverages increases your risk of dental decay. Nothing makes people more oblivious to their health than a holiday get-together when they are free to indulge in everything they want for hours on end.
- While avoiding some foods totally would be best for our health, teeth, and waistlines, it’s unlikely to happen even with the best resolve. The holiday season is a time to unwind, indulge, and have fun. However, you must prioritize cavity prevention and tooth and gum health maintenance. You can still enjoy the holidays to the fullest without having to worry about damaging your natural teeth, dental implants, or dentures if you follow these easy dental tips from Major Dental Clinics.
- Eat desserts WHILE you are eating your dinner, not after it is over. The extra saliva will help remove the sugar from your teeth and keep it from sticking there.
- Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Water helps keep the mouth clean by promoting saliva production, which in turn deposits minerals necessary for tooth enamel formation. Additionally, water is good for your gums because it keeps them moist and cleans your teeth of food particles.
- Cheese has cavity prevention properties and tooth-strengthening vitamins. Dairy products, such as cheese, include calcium and phosphate, which help keep teeth healthy by preserving enamel, increasing saliva production, and killing germs that may lead to cavities and other health problems.
- When you consume fruits like apples, kiwis, and strawberries, you’re scrubbing your teeth. By combining their natural fibers with saliva, fruits help wash away the food particles and germs that cause stains.
- Vegetables including carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and cucumbers remove food particles that might accumulate in plaque.
- Reduce the buildup of microorganisms in your mouth by chewing fresh herbs, including cilantro, parsley, and mint. Add them to the salads you make.
Pay close attention to the following things and control the quantity of treats you feast on:
- Candy canes
- Peppermint bark
- Crunchy Christmas cookies
- Caramels, taffy, pecan pie, and peanut brittle
- Holiday drinks like cider, eggnog, and hot chocolate
- Wine
- Popcorn
- Fruitcake
Tooth decay and periodontitis are the two most dangerous dental problems if you don’t practice basic oral hygiene at home. Regardless of how well you take care of your teeth at home, you still need regular dental exams and cleanings.
We at Major Dental Clinics assure you of the best treatment options. If you need any dental treatment or denture care even during the holiday season, we are here to help. Our offices are very conveniently located in the Milwaukee and Chicago Metropolitan areas. For more details about our prosthodontist services, please schedule an appointment by filling this form, and one of our front staff members will call you shortly to confirm it.