Your Dentist Gives Holiday Tips for Bright Smiles

The holiday season is a great time of year as you gather with family and friends to celebrate over tasty meals and sweet treats. With so many festivities and planning in the upcoming days, it is a busy time of year. The last thing on your mind is often the health of your teeth and gums. However, it should remain a focal point. During the upcoming months, people tend to consume sugary treats and drink alcohol, which will negatively impact your dental health. Although it is only a few weeks out of the year, the choices you make could lead to bad news during your next visit with your dentist if you are not careful. Thankfully, there are simple holiday tips for bright smiles.

Don’t Damage Your Smile

The holidays are an exciting and busy time of year, which could unintentionally lead you damage your oral health. As you get together with family and friends, the foods and drinks served are often a highlight of the event. However, if they contain large amounts of sugar, you are opening the door to tooth decay.

When you consume sugar, it sits on your teeth and combines with your saliva, turning it into acid, which will eat away at your enamel. While many believe that sugar is not harmful if it is consumed in moderation, it only takes about 20 minutes of sitting on the teeth for it to begin to causing damage. In addition to sugar, alcohol is often served as well, such as wine. Wine is very acidic and can lead to erosion of the enamel.

In addition to the foods and drinks you are consuming during these festivities, the stress of the season can also impact your dental health. It is a busy time of year, which means your schedule becomes more limited. As a result, you might rush through your oral hygiene habits, which can counteract the effects of the foods and drinks you are enjoying at the gatherings. With a decrease in your regular oral hygiene routine, a few days of overindulgence during these events could lead to a cavity or two at your next dental appointment.

Protect Your Smile

Even though there is a risk to your dental health, that does not mean that you cannot enjoy sugary treats or even a glass of wine. Although times get busy, it is best to remain proactive about your oral hygiene. Take the time to brush twice a day and floss each night. In between brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth with water after eating a sweat sugary foods or drinking alcohol. While your schedule is a bit more chaotic, do not forget to visit your dentist for your semi-annual cleaning and checkup.

Enjoy a Bright Holiday Smile

During the next few weeks, take the time to promote your dental health for a beautiful holiday smile to make the most of the season.

About Annigan Dental

Annigan Dental is committed to helping our patients achieve optimal dental health through high-quality care. With tailored solutions for your individual needs, we will help you reach and maintain a healthy smile. If you need a preventive appointment before the holidays, contact Annigan Dental today!