Keeping Your Teeth Healthy for the Holidays and Beyond

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, every person was brushing, or flossing, or both! Their stomachs were full of some yummy holiday treats, not sugar - but veggies, water, cheese boards, and meats! The children nestled down in their warm, comfy beds, while visions of a cavity-free check-up danced in their heads.

We will spare you from the rest of this amazing and original holiday poem, but you get the idea! We absolutely love Christmas at Timber Kids Dentistry, but it is important for us as your trusted dental providers in Oregon to help you know the best ways to keep your teeth healthy during the holidays and beyond. As you start preparing the charcuterie, pies, and ham - here are some tips to keep cavities, tooth decay, and toothaches at bay!

5 Tips for Healthy Teeth During the Holidays

It doesn't have to be the holidays to follow these recommendations from your dentist, however, the holiday season is definitely one of the more indulgent times of the year. With so many cookies and parties, it can be difficult to make the healthiest decisions. Don't wait for 2023 when the damage has already been done - commit to these steps to jump start your dental resolutions.

1. Stay Hydrated. The bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay thrive in dry mouth conditions. In some people, 'Dry Mouth' can become a serious condition. The best way to aid your mouth in fighting against 'Dry Mouth' is by drinking water. Not only does it help the dry conditions, water helps wash away bacteria from food and sugar we may have recently eaten. Avoid hydrating with sugary beverages like soda or juice.
2. Avoid Snacking. During the holidays, treats can be left out to munch on throughout the day. Unless you can commit to brushing, flossing, and rinsing after every nibble, it is best to avoid random snacking. Pick times during the day when you can sit down and eat and enjoy those holiday treats. This will allow you the ability to manage what you are consuming and brush after. Your teeth and waistline will thank you!
3. Brush After Eating. After picking the times when you will want to sit down and enjoy your meal or holiday treats, it is important to remember to brush your teeth after eating as well. Dentists recommend brushing for two minutes at least two times per day - but during the holidays or times when you may consume extra sugar - brushing after each meal can help prevent cavities. If you ate a lot of sugar, we also recommend flossing to make sure the bacteria doesn't start munching on the enamel between your teeth.
4. Choose Quality Foods. It may be hard to avoid unhealthy treats, whether it is your grandmother's famous cookies or your cousin splurged and bought a Costco-size Apple Pie for dessert. If possible, try to fill your plate teeth-friendly foods. Vegetables, protein, and foods high in calcium and Vitamin D are great options to help protect your teeth. If you must indulge in sugar, avoid sticky or hard substances that can get stuck on or in between your teeth like caramel, gum, taffy, or hard candies.
5. Boost Your Teeth and Gum Health with Fluoride. Most toothpaste will have fluoride as an ingredient, but if yours doesn't - we definitely recommend finding one that does! Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect against cavity-causing bacteria and strengthens enamel. During the holidays, or when you expect to be consuming more sugar than usual, it may even be beneficial to incorporate a fluoride mouth rinse.

Avoiding Cavities in the New Year

You can incorporate those 5 tips into your lifestyle any time during the year! At Timber Kids Dentistry, we hope you will partner with us in making the next year the healthiest one yet - for your teeth and gums . . . and overall! If you want to get started with a preventive exam and cleaning, schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations today.

But I heard the dentist exclaim, as he passed by the office tree— “Merry Christmas to all, and may all be cavity-free!"

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