Guess who else likes to eat and treat themselves with their favorite food on holidays? Your friends? Your family? Uh-huh, the Children? Plus, the bacterias living in your mouth, too. I bet!
While the holiday season is around the corner, it feels incredible to draw all the joy from a holiday meal that tickles your taste buds? But at the same time, we all worry about our dental health. Thankfully, some simple tips from the dentist in Newport Beach during holiday meals, parties, and gatherings can minimize damage to teeth and gums and maintain the integrity of dental hygiene.
Let’s dig a little deeper into what the dentist has to say:
First, the facts:
Eating and drinking sugary foods and beverages for a long time can increase the chances of gum disease and tooth decay.
Although it is ideal for our health, fitness, and teeth to avoid eating sweet treats altogether, it requires strong willpower to say ‘No.’ Perhaps it is not going to happen. Sounds relatable?
Let’s face it. There is nothing like indulging in your favorite food during a holiday party for hours. The holiday season is a perfect time to relax and have fun with your loved ones. Make sure you have the most memorable time without really worrying about your dental hygiene.
Read on the tips below to make the most out of your holiday season:
- Eat sweets with your meals (not after meals). Excess saliva will help wash away the sugar so it won’t stay on your teeth.
- Drink lots of water. Water cleans the mouth, produces saliva, deposits essential minerals, and forms tooth enamel. It can also keep the gums stay hydrated and flush away food particles from the teeth.
- Get more rest during the holidays. Sleeping for at least 8 hours, improve overall health, including your dental health.
- Cheese contains natural anti-dental agents and vitamins that strengthen the teeth. Calcium and phosphate in cheese help balance pH in the mouth, retain tooth enamel, produce saliva, and to kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay and disease.
- When eating fruit, such as apples, strawberries, and kiwi, scrub your teeth. The fruit’s natural fibers combine with saliva in the mouth, they help wash away food particles and bacteria that cause stains.
- Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers can remove food particles that accumulate in plaque and help clean teeth and gums.
- Chewing fresh herbs, such as coriander, parsley, and mint helps reduce the odor caused by bacterial buildup. Put them in a salad!
When it comes to protecting your gums and teeth, sweets are never recommended. Some sweets are particularly wayward because they taste good. Please pay special attention to:
- Candy bars (tooth and dental work, watch out!)
- Mint bark (if the teeth are fragile, cut them into small pieces and then immerse them in milk, coffee or tea to soften them)
- Crunchy Christmas cookies
- Caramel, toffee, peanut crisp and pecan cake (the more sticky, the better the damage to your teeth)
- Holiday drinks (egg, cider, and hot chocolate … oh my)
- Wine (red and white causes discoloration and makes holes in the teeth)
- Popcorn (note the kernel)
- Fruit cake (chewy dried fruit may be in it)
Pro-tip – if something is suitable for your body, it is right for your mouth, and vice versa.
Keep your smile bright, always!
Whether it is the holiday season or not, your dental hygiene must be a priority. Visit your nearest dentist in Newport Beach frequently to keep your smile bright. Good oral hygiene must be maintained at home to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and fatal dental problems.
No matter how good your oral care routine is, regular dental inspections and cleaning are required. If you have not followed your doctor’s advice before, please make your 2020 is a year of your actual self-care improvement. And, the first step is to visit the dentist in Newport Beach to learn about your dental care needs now.