The holiday season is always full of food, family, and fun! While it’s wonderful to enjoy all the delicious treats and travel to see so many loved ones, it can be easy to get off track in caring for your pearly whites. When it’s time to visit your dentist for a checkup at the start of the new year, you may discover you have developed cavities or an increase in gum inflammation. Here’s why the festivities can affect your teeth and what you can do to keep your smile bright and healthy for 2023.
What Causes Oral Health Issues During the Holidays?
Amidst all the fun games, gift-giving traditions, and laughs with friends and family during the festive season, there are various foods, drinks, and habits that can negatively impact your smile. Here are several reasons the holidays can be harmful to your smile:
- Frequently snacking throughout the day can accumulate bacteria and result in tooth decay and cavities, as saliva production won’t be sufficient to wash away harmful particles.
- Neglecting your regular oral hygiene routine (such as brushing and flossing in the morning and before bedtime) due to irregular schedules and traveling can cause plaque to quickly build upon your teeth.
- Munching constantly on sugary treats can weaken your protective enamel and result in developing cavities.
It may be tempting to forego your normal dental care or overindulge in sweets while having your holiday fun but preserving your teeth should be a priority this time of year. Since oral health issues like gum disease and cavities can develop rather quickly, you’ll need to stay on top of keeping your pearly whites clean and be mindful of your daily habits. If not, you may end up requiring costly restorative treatment later on.
Tips for Reducing Your Risk & Ensuring Healthier Teeth
Although the holiday season has the potential to cause dental issues, it doesn’t mean you’ll have to put a damper on the celebrations. You can still the treats and enjoy quality time with your loved ones as long as you practice the following measures:
- Make it a priority to stick with a proper oral hygiene.
- Choose healthier options as much as you can. Enjoy seasonal fruits, veggies, turkey, yogurt, dark chocolate, and even gingerbread cookies.
- Drink plenty of water during the day, which promotes saliva production and washes away food particles and bacteria.
- Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods like candy canes, caramel, hard/sour candies, soda, and white wine.
- Try to eat during meals rather than constantly snacking.
The holidays are meant to be fully enjoyed and celebrated…just be sure to care for your smile throughout them, too! With these tips in mind, you will be sure to have a happy and healthier smile in 2023.
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Brong and his team at Zumbro Family Dental are eager to help you and your family have healthy and happy smiles all year long! He provides a wide range of dental services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. With a 5-star rating on Google, his goal is to give personalized care using the latest technology so your oral health will remain in top condition. To schedule an appointment, contact him through his website or call (507) 288-1066.
