The holiday season is here and now more than ever we are tempted by chocolate sweets and bubbly treats that at this time of year are difficult to resist and avoid. But there are some things you can do this Christmas time to minimize the risk of dental decay in the New Year with our Dental Christmas Survival Guide.
1. Don’t let your routine slip: continue to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. Your teeth are being bombarded with sugar and acids that can lead to dental concerns.
2. Limit snacking: it can seem like all you do is eat and drink over the holidays so be mindful of what you are eating between meals. Try and stick to more tooth friendly options such as fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, low sugar yogurts and make sure you drink plenty of water.
3. Some of our most favorite Christmas time treats have sugar: Candy canes are one of the worst Christmas treat culprits- they are sticky, sweet and tend to be sucked on and licked extending the acid and sugar exposure to the teeth. Choose more tooth friendly stocking fillers- sugar free candy, sugar free gum.
4. Be careful with your choice of beverage: soft drinks and yes that bottle of champagne or wine is full of sugar and acid that can damage your teeth and cause staining. Limit consumption, drink water between glasses and finish off with some cheese and nuts. The increased saliva production and calcium exposure will help neutralize sugars and acids to help protect your teeth and strengthen enamel.
5. Wait to brush: after acid attack from foods and drinks the enamel is weakened and it can take up to 1 hour for the enamel to recover and strengthen. Brushing this window will essentially brush away your enamel. It is best to wait 30min-1hour after eating/drinking sugary/acidic foods and drinks before brushing.
6. Use a bottle opener- not your teeth! Your teeth are not tools and are designed for speaking, eating and smiling- don’t risk that to open your beer or wine. Don’t let a broken tooth ruin your Christmas.
Christmas is a time to spend with family and friends and indulge- but remember MODERATION is best!
The team at Johnson Family Dental in Paducah would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and thank you for the support and loyalty you show us. We look forward to serving you in the upcoming year. If you need to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (270) 554-2432. We are conveniently located at 2913 Lone Oak Rd in Paducah, KY. Happy Holidays!