The stores are filling up with sweet treats, tall trees, and endless ideas for presents while homes are taking on the scent of pumpkin, cinnamon, and even turkey. The holidays are a fun and exciting time of year, but it can also be harmful to your oral health if you avoid taking proper care of your teeth and gums. If you want to keep tooth decay and gum disease from making an appearance and ruining your time with family and friends, hear from a dentist in Allen Park who shares 5 helpful tips to keep your smile ready for the holidays.
Take Advantage of Seeing Your Dentist
Want to make sure your oral health is in good shape before you start diving into that pumpkin pie? Make an appointment with your dentist. A thorough checkup and cleaning can be helpful in setting you up for success this holiday season. Not only will you be more likely to be mindful of what you’re eating, but you’ll want to take better care of your smile as there is guaranteed to be plenty of pictures taken when grandparents arrive.
Be Mindful of What You’re Eating
This is important for many reasons, but if you suffer from the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), certain foods can cause increased pain and discomfort. Try to avoid:
- Chewing gum
- Chewy foods such as steak or gummy candies
- Crunchy foods like chips, raw vegetables, or hard fruit
- Processed foods like white sugar or dairy
Too many sugary or starchy foods can also increase your chances of tooth decay and gum disease, so try to limit your intake as much as possible.
Drink Plenty of Water
Stay hydrated and keep your salivary glands working at optimal speed by drinking plenty of water. Not only is it the best liquid you can drink (anytime), but if you’re eating more sweets or starch this season, water is a great way to rinse away the left behind food particles, preventing them from sticking to your teeth and encouraging bacteria to breed and spread into the crevices of your teeth.
Minimize Your Alcohol Intake
Sweet wines can make it more likely that you’ll develop tooth decay, but excessive amounts of alcohol can also be problematic for individuals who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea since it prevents a person from reaching a state of deep sleep. Should you decide to partake in a few alcoholic beverages, avoid indulging within four hours of your bedtime.
Don’t Forget to Brush and Floss
This is probably the easiest but oftentimes, most forgotten tip. Even if you’re in a normal routine of brushing and flossing your teeth each morning and night, the holidays can cause you to fall out of routine. Don’t let this happen to you! If necessary, set a timer to alert yourself to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day.
By following these suggested tips this holiday season, you can rest easy knowing that your oral health is in great shape for the upcoming new year!
About the Author
Dr. Frank Stankiewicz completed his undergraduate degree from New York University before going on to attend the university’s College of Dentistry and graduating in 1992. An avid learner, he pursues continuing education opportunities in orthodontics, sleep apnea, and TMJ. Offering a wide array of services to individuals in Allen Park and surrounding areas, he and his team will help you move through this holiday season with a clean and healthy smile. To find out how, contact us at (313) 928-6100.
