The holidays are upon us, and for most, the next few months will be filled with family, festivities and food. While we love to get into the holiday spirit, we know that oral care can often fall to the wayside during this time. At Advanced Dental Arts of Carollwood, Citrus Park, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and Lakeland, we want to remind you of the ways to take care of your teeth through the most wonderful time of the year!
Stay away from sticky-sweet treats. While caramel goodies can be tempting this time of year, they can wreak havoc on your teeth! If you have fillings these are especially dangerous. You don’t want to spend all your holiday money on a costly trip to come see us!
Never open presents or packaging with your teeth. We’ve all been there – you get the perfect gift that you’re ready to tear open but the scissors are no where to be found. It won’t be a big deal to just use your teeth, right? WRONG! Even if you don’t notice any damage right away, this behavior can slowly erode your enamel and chip at your teeth. Plus, you don’t want to end up with cracked or missing teeth in those family photos!
Choose clear or light colored beverages and drink water when possible. Hot chocolate, eggnog and a glass of red wine are what holiday dreams are made of, but try and limit intake throughout the season. The sugar in these drinks is damaging to your teeth and dark or colorful drinks can leave your teeth with unpleasant stains. If you do have a glass of something sweet, make sure you brush your teeth after!
Keep your appointments. During the hustle and bustle of the season, it can be hard to make time for everything you need to do. That isn’t an excuse to skip out on your dental appointments and cleanings though!
Keep up with your oral care routine. Between shopping, trips to see family, and holiday parties, you’re probably on the go for two months straight. If you are leaving town or plan to be out late, get prepared! Keeping a travel toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and mouthwash on you can help make sure no matter where you are you’re keeping up with your cleaning habits.
If you’re already unhappy with your smile and dreading this year’s holiday photos, come see us! You don’t need to wait until the New Year for a fresh start on your teeth. From veneers, to Invisalign, to implants and teeth whitening, we can make sure that your smile is the best gift of all this season!