How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays
Holidays are all about treats, gatherings, gifts, sweets, and meals with lots of laughter and fun. And in this time of celebrations with our family and friends, where late-night meals and sweets are shared frequently, it also makes it challenging for you to take care of your oral health and carry out the routine properly.
Sugary drinks and treats, late-night snacks, and irregular care can harm your teeth significantly during these periods. A Honolulu dentist puts a lot of importance on taking care of your teeth during the holiday period because of food intake in that period and how it helps in maintaining your better oral health.
To learn how to take care of your teeth and gums better so that you do not face any problems after your holidays read this blog to know some essential tips.
Tips To Take Care Of Your Teeth During Holidays
Be Careful with Sweets
Even though having sweets during holidays is okay it is important to be careful of the amount of sweets and types also. For example, caramel or toffees get stuck in your teeth, and because of that it allows bacteria to feed on them. Some hard candies also chip your teeth while biting.
You can have these sweets in smaller amounts and make sure to rinse your mouth by swishing water around to remove stuck particles or select a healthy alternative like dark chocolates and fresh fruits which not only is healthy for your teeth but comparatively low in sugar helping you maintain your overall health also.
And even if you are craving the sweet and want to have a bite or two consider taking it before or after meals as because of saliva production it will allow the acids to rinse away sugar.
Stay Hydrated
Sufficient water intake is going to solve many issues when it comes to maintaining your oral health. It will wash away food particles and bacteria that may cause plaque buildup and will also keep you hydrated.
After consuming any type of drink that reduces saliva production like alcoholic beverages or sugary drinks like cocktails and sodas, drink water in between to improve saliva production which will help in removing acid and bacteria.
Avoid drinking these types of beverages in high amounts to avoid their impact on your teeth instead, you can choose sparkling water as an alternative making sure to choose the one without citric acid lest it will contribute to enamel erosion. Staying hydrated is also necessary for overall health so that you can enjoy your festivities to the fullest.
Limiting Starchy Food
Snacks and meals during the holidays often contain chips, crackers, bread, and other type of starchy food. These break down into sugar sticking to the teeth and promoting plaque buildup on the teeth. These types of snacks and food options are hardly replaceable because of their palatability and taste.
By limiting these types of intake you can choose whole-grain options when it comes to bread, and pair the starchy food with cheese or tofu, or any type of protein-rich snacks in general. Because it will help in contracting acid production in the mouth. As much as you can try to indulge in a nutrient-rich balanced diet to protect your oral health.
Do Not Skip Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Even though holidays are all about the hustle and bustle of activity and events, make sure you do not skip your oral hygiene routine in the morning and evening. Regularly floss and brush your teeth, and swish your mouth every time you eat to increase saliva production and wash away food particles.
If you are traveling make sure to pack a travel-size fluoride-containing toothpaste with a soft-bristle toothbrush, and a piece of floss to avoid end-of-the-moment problems. Keep an anti-bacterial mouthwash to conveniently freshen up to avoid bad breath.