The holiday season is finally upon us, which means your calendar is probably filled with adequate time off, plans with family and friends, and of course, lots of celebrations! However, with so much going on, it’s easy to be forgetful in other areas of life, and unfortunately, you might end up letting your dental health slip. This is not something you want to happen! Here are a few reasons why your dentist wants you to be extra mindful about your smile’s wellness this holiday season.
Holiday Foods Tend to Have Sugar
Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and all of the other winter holidays, you’re often going to find yourself surrounded by all sorts of foods and drinks – and many of these items are quite sugary or starchy. Things like cookies, pies, cakes, and hard candy contain sugar that gets broken down by oral bacteria after consumption, which in turn creates plaque acid that harms your teeth and greatly increases your risk of decay, cavities, and other serious issues. Likewise, starchy items like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and even pasta can have the same effect on your teeth once those starches are broken down. Many holiday beverages aren’t much better; eggnog, hot cocoa, alcoholic drinks, etc. can contain surprising amounts of sugar!
It’s Easy to Snack All Day Long
It’s not just the food itself that is problematic; how often you’re eating or snacking is equally impactful. Whether you’re munching on leftovers hours after a big meal or eating sweets throughout your workday to keep your spirits high, your teeth and gums would be much better off if you stuck to eating regular meals separated by hours in between. While the caloric and sugar intake isn’t ideal, the bigger problem is, that if you’re consistently eating throughout the day, you’re never allowing your mouth to produce enough saliva to neutralize bacteria and clean food debris from your teeth.
Going on Vacation Can Affect Your Routine
Many of us spend time traveling during the holiday season, and as nice as it is to see extended family or take an exciting vacation, these trips can greatly affect one’s oral hygiene routine. It’s easy to forget to pack your toothbrush, but often, it’s even easier to forget to use it once you’re in the middle of your trip. You might also stay up later than normal or wake up earlier than usual, which can impact your dental diligence. Oral hygiene matters – no matter where you’re staying for the night. Prioritizing your oral care routine will greatly mitigate your chances of suffering a dental injury or letting an issue sneakily develop.
The holidays can be a busy time of year, to say the least, but you should always find time to prioritize your oral health and keep mental tabs on your smile’s state, no matter how hectic your schedule may seem.
About the Practice
The team at Claybrooke Dental of Gahanna has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the area for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options – whatever your smile needs to remain healthy and bright all throughout the holidays! If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment or request additional information, please reach out online or by phone at (614) 475-1874.