A Few Dental Health Tips for the Holidays

Christmas and the many other holidays at the end of the year bring about endless opportunities for us to be relaxed, happy, and surrounded by friends and family, offering rare moments of peace. However, during these happy, and occasionally rambunctious, times, it can be easy to let our enjoyments go too far to the point of affecting our oral and overall health.

During holiday seasons, maintaining oral health, while likely not our greatest priority, must still be a priority, especially with children and grandchildren running around. To do so, here a few dental tips to help keep up proper oral health care despite the chaos of the holiday season.

Controlling Soda Consumption

Holiday season brings along with it different kinds of parties with family members, friends, and even work acquaintances. With these parties, individuals often find excessive ranges of soda—the sugary, acidic drink known for being unkind in terms of how it affects teeth. If you find yourself without the option of water in this situation, you can try drinking a soda while using a straw rather than drinking it straight from a glass. This can keep the teeth’s exposure to the soda’s acidity and sugar minimal. This method can also work for wine, which is known for staining the teeth after prolonged exposure.

Love the Turkey

Turkey is among the few holiday season foods that does not have direct consequences to both overall and oral health. “Turkey is a food that can be eaten without any worries at all since it provides protein and phosphorus. Both are the major molesters of such dental ailments as tooth decay and keeps your teeth healthy,” according to Los Angeles dental professional Dr. Shervin Louie. With this in mind, individuals should feel free to eat as much turkey during the holidays as they desire.

Don’t Overdo the Sugar

As a major contributor to tooth decay, overloading the body with sugar is a chief concern going into the Christmas/holiday season, givin the many desserts that often grace tables following family meals. The best method for avoiding harm to your oral and overall health is to at best avoid sugary delicacies or at least commit yourself to moderation. Just remember to maintain a proper oral health care routine by brushing twice daily, flossing at least once per day, and even using a mouth rinse to eliminate more harmful mouth bacteria.

Find the Fruit and Veggies Trays

While celebrating, it might be tempting to avoid the trays containing fruits and vegetables and head straight for the desserts, but it’s important to remind yourself that doing so will only hurt your teeth and health in the long run. It’s better to give the body what it needs rather than what temptation demands. While one or two sweets during the holidays may not hurt, remember to fill your plate with some nutritional value as well.

If you overdid it during the holidays, you may want to make your New Year's resolution to visit your dentist. Our New Hampshire family discount dental plan can help you save as much as 20 percent off those high family dental bills. For more information, click here.

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