How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy during the Holiday?

The holidays are a time for enjoying some yummy and festive treats. Unfortunately all of that extra sugar can wreak havoc on your teeth. Here are some tips on how to keep your smile happy and healthy this holiday season.

Diet

The first place you can start is by making smart choices with your diet. Try to eat oranges, apples, celery, carrots, and dairy foods. These are all good choices for the teeth and will have health benefits to make them stronger. You should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to help keep sugar away from the teeth and sitting on the gums.

Sticky treats like caramel or taffy are the worst culprit for tooth decay, and they could even pull out a tooth filling. So choose less sticky treats to enjoy. You should avoid cracking nuts open with your teeth. This could potentially lead to an injury, and ‘tis the season for nutcrackers, so let them do their job, and save your chompers.   

Cleaning

Staying in the habit of cleaning and flossing your teeth is important. You should brush your teeth in the morning, and then brush and floss them at night before going to bed. Avoid snacking or drinking anything but water after you have brushed and flossed your teeth at night.

Another good idea is to schedule a cleaning with dentists in St Petersburg, FL for immediately after the holiday season. This will give your teeth a good head-start to stay healthy in the new year.

Extra Steps

Your teeth are tough, but they are not immune to damage. Do not use your teeth to open packages, rip tape, or open any bottles. You should avoid chewing on ice, fingernails, or hard candy as well. All of these activities pose the risk for potential tooth breakage or gum injuries. If you break a tooth you could have considerable pain and discomfort and will most likely require a costly tooth repair procedure such as a root canal or crown. You should wear a mouthguard if you plan to participate in any outdoor sports.

The holidays can be a stressful time. Practice some jaw relaxing techniques so you are not clinching or grinding your teeth. If you have any sensitivities, or are experiencing any jaw, gum, or tooth discomfort you should work with quality dentists in St Petersburg, FL right away so you can get back to optimal dental health and enjoy the holiday season.