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How to protect your teeth this holiday season

How to Protect Your Teeth This Holiday Season

Posted by On 16-11-2023

The holidays are a joyous time of year, full of holiday cheer and happy gatherings. Unfortunately, all that celebrating can be hard on your oral health. Many Miltown patients face developing cavities and newly chipped teeth when the New Year arrives.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can defend against tooth decay and accidental tooth damage.

This holiday season, protect your teeth by following the tips on this list. And once the festivities are over, visit Milltown Dental for a post-holiday checkup.

Limit Your Consumption of Sugar

For many, the holidays are when you can say yes to those little (or big) indulgences. Why not have that second helping of pie or help Santa finish that plate of sugar-dusted cookies?

Between the freshly baked cookies, candy canes, sweet toffees, and chocolate treats, you would think sugar is synonymous with the holiday season. But just because visions of sugar plums are dancing in your head doesn’t mean that you should say yes to every single temptation.

Those extra servings of mouthwatering desserts and sweet snacks can spell disaster for oral health.

While you don’t have to avoid sugar altogether, you should try to limit your consumption. Increased sugar intake feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which can spur the development of cavities. When you indulge, do so with meals and rinse your mouth with water afterwards.

Both water and the extra saliva produced at mealtime help wash away excess sugars.

Opt for Dark Chocolate

Some treats are better for your oral health than others. For example, toffee, peanut brittle, and hard candy canes put your teeth at the most risk. When you crave something sweet, dark chocolate is your best option.

Dark chocolate has less sugar than other forms of chocolate and candy. Plus, dark chocolate is designed to melt in your mouth, so it washes away very easily with water or saliva.

It also reduces the time your teeth are in contact with the sugar. The less time sugar particles remain stuck to your teeth, the less likely you are to get cavities.

Ditch the Sugary Advent Calendar

Do you need another excuse to eat sweet things during the holiday season? Advent calendars are a fun and festive tradition.

However, they’re almost always filled with hard candies and milky chocolates. A candy-stuffed advent calendar only makes matters worse for your teeth.

You don’t have to abandon the advent calendar altogether, though. Instead, swap the sugary calendar for one filled with toys, games, little gifts, or family-friendly activities. Enjoying the holidays doesn’t have to compromise your oral health!

Try to Resist Holiday Grazing

For most families, eating is a significant holiday activity. Outside of the grand festive feasts, there are snacking opportunities aplenty. Unfortunately, grazing on these goodies is tough on your oral health. Why?

When you snack throughout the day, your mouth is exposed to a constant barrage of sugar residue and leftover food particles. It creates an acidic environment, which wears down your tooth enamel and promotes cavities.

When you choose to snack, rinse your mouth with water afterwards to wash away lingering particles. Otherwise, try to restrict most of your eating to meal times.

Less Alcohol, More Water

Alcohol is often present during holiday festivities. However, drinking can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Consequently, it’s better to limit your alcohol consumption as much as possible.

Are you feeling thirsty? Drink water instead! It washes away problematic sugar and food residue and keeps you hydrated, so you feel better throughout (and after) the celebrations.

Most alcoholic drinks are high in sugar, promoting cavities and tooth decay. Additionally, alcohol dries the mouth, increasing the risk of bacteria developing below the gumline. Darker drinks, like red wine and coffee liqueurs, can also stain your teeth over time.

Don’t Use Your Teeth Like Scissors

Your teeth are designed to break apart food, not break into pesky packages or rip apart wrapping paper or tape. It is easy to break, chip, crack, or fracture a tooth, especially if you misuse your pearly whites.

If you’re struggling to open something, grab a pair of scissors or a knife instead. Trying to force your teeth to do the job of scissors could land you in emergency dental care.

Similarly, you should not try to crack nuts with your teeth. You’re more likely to crack your teeth than the stubborn nut. Instead, only consume nuts removed from their shells and use a nutcracker to tackle unshelled nuts.

Take Your Toothbrush With You

For many of us, travel is part of the holidays. But whether you’re travelling to spend Christmas with faraway family members or to escape the Ontario winter for a tropical vacation, don’t forget your toothbrush!

You should bring your entire oral hygiene kit, no matter where you’re going. It should include a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash.

It’s vital to maintain your oral hygiene routine during the holidays. Between the sugary treats, increased alcohol consumption, and constant snacking temptations, your mouth needs extra care. You should continue brushing twice a day, flossing once daily, and using mouthwash to combat the onset of tooth decay.

Schedule a Post Holiday Checkup With Your Dentist in Milton

Even when you stick to your regular oral hygiene habits and try to make the best decisions for your oral health, the holidays are tough on your teeth.

Scheduling a post-holiday checkup with your dentist in Milton ensures you stay ahead of cavities and tooth decay. After all, professional teeth cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup that brushing alone cannot address.

At Milltown Dental, our dental experts are ready to welcome you after the holiday celebrations. We’ll get your smile ready to enter the new year! Contact us today to schedule your post-holiday checkup.

Are you looking for a dentist in Milton, Ontario? To learn more about our exceptional services, call Milltown Dental at (833) 318-3281 or contact us here.

11 Comments

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11 Comments

  • Posted on 02-01-2024 by Leuish Josfe

    The holiday season can be tough on teeth, so these tips are incredibly helpful! I’m now on the lookout for a dentist in SE Calgary who can offer personalized advice. Any advice or recommendations for a dentist in SE Calgary specializing in holiday dental care?

  • Posted on 13-12-2023 by John O.

    Thank you for recognizing the shared commitment to promoting proactive dental care Cree. At Mayfaire Family Dentistry, we echo your sentiments and applaud your dedication to dental well-being, Holly. It’s inspiring to see a collective effort toward fostering a culture of oral health. Here’s to a season of healthy smiles and continued success in our common goal.

    Best regards,
    John O.
    Mayfaire Family Dentistry Team
    https://mayfairefamilydentistry.com/

  • Posted on 05-12-2023 by Cree Wood

    We share a common goal of promoting proactive dental care, and we applaud your dedication to dental well-being, Holly.

  • Posted on 05-12-2023 by Brian Rich DMD

    Thank you for your kind words regarding Dr. Julie Boudreault’s blog, Holly. We’re pleased to hear that you found the guide informative and practical. It’s our goal to provide valuable tips for safeguarding oral health during festive periods, and we’re delighted that the recommendations, from choosing dark chocolate to maintaining oral hygiene during travel, resonate with you.

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Smith Orthodontics

    The tips on sugar intake, dark chocolate choices, and alternatives to sugary advent calendars are indeed valuable, Jane. We wish you and the team at Coliseum Dental a season filled with healthy and radiant smiles.

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Caleb Addison

    Thank you Linda for sharing your endorsement of Dr. Julie Boudreault’s holiday oral health blog. It’s heartening to see the positive impact it has had on your perspective. At Concord Advance Dentistry, we also emphasize the importance of mindful oral health practices, and we fully agree that limiting sugar intake and opting for dark chocolate is crucial during this festive season.

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Rickey Pratt

    Thank you guys for collectively highlighting the effectiveness of Dr. Julie Boudreault’s blog on maintaining oral health during the holiday season.

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Linda Hawk

    I highly endorse the advice provided in Dr. Julie Boudreault’s blog on “How to Protect Your Teeth This Holiday Season.” The holiday season often brings indulgent treats and festive traditions, but it’s essential to be mindful of our oral health. Dr. Boudreault’s recommendations, such as limiting sugar intake, opting for dark chocolate, avoiding sugary advent calendars, resisting holiday grazing, and choosing water over excessive alcohol, offer practical and effective ways to safeguard our teeth during this joyful time. The reminder not to use our teeth as tools and the emphasis on maintaining oral hygiene, even during travel, are valuable tips. I encourage everyone to follow this comprehensive advice and consider scheduling a post-holiday checkup with our skilled dentists at Milltown Dental to ensure a healthy and radiant smile in the new year.

    Thanks,

    The Dental Practice Management Agency

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Jane Simpson

    I appreciate the insightful advice provided by Dr. Julie Boudreault in this blog post. The holiday season often brings joy and indulgence, but it’s crucial to be mindful of its potential impact on oral health. The emphasis on limiting sugar intake, opting for dark chocolate, and resisting holiday grazing resonates with our commitment to preventive dental care. The suggestion to swap sugary advent calendars for alternatives aligns with our approach to promoting oral health without sacrificing festive traditions. Additionally, the reminder to be cautious with alcohol consumption and to refrain from using teeth as tools reflects our dedication to preserving patients’ overall dental well-being. Finally, the recommendation to carry a toothbrush and maintain oral hygiene routines during travel aligns with our belief in the importance of consistent care. Overall, this blog serves as a valuable guide for maintaining healthy smiles during the holiday season, complementing the principles upheld at Coliseum Dental.

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Holly Brown

    I find Dr. Julie Boudreault’s blog on “How to Protect Your Teeth This Holiday Season” to be both informative and practical. The comprehensive guide offers valuable tips to safeguard oral health during the festive period, addressing common issues such as increased sugar intake, the choice of sweets, and the impact of alcohol consumption. The emphasis on choosing dark chocolate over other sugary treats and the reminder to resist using teeth as tools for non-food items reflects a commitment to promoting long-term dental well-being. Furthermore, the recommendation to maintain oral hygiene routines during travel demonstrates a thoughtful consideration for patients on the move. Overall, Dr. Boudreault’s advice serves as a helpful resource for individuals seeking to enjoy the holidays while prioritizing their dental health.

  • Posted on 04-12-2023 by Cornell Phillips

    As a proud team member of Pelham Links Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, I am thrilled to endorse Dr. Julie Boudreault’s insightful blog on safeguarding oral health during the festive season. Dr. Boudreault adeptly emphasizes the importance of limiting sugar intake, making informed choices like opting for dark chocolate, and steering clear of sugary advent calendars. The blog provides practical tips on resisting holiday grazing, choosing water over alcohol, and avoiding using teeth as tools. The emphasis on maintaining oral hygiene routines during travel is a thoughtful touch. Dr. Boudreault’s call to schedule a post-holiday checkup at Milltown Dental highlights our commitment to proactive dental care. I encourage everyone in Milton, Ontario, to explore our exceptional services by contacting Milltown Dental at (833) 318-3281 or through our website. Let’s celebrate the holidays with smiles that are both joyful and healthy!