Tips to Keep Smile Healthy This Winter Holidays

Winter holidays are here, bringing with them lots of festivities and fun. The season also heralds the arrival of lots of sweets and treats. It’s probably a good idea to have a healthy diet throughout the season. But it is also important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine during this time.

Avoid Sugary Candies

All that sugar isn’t great for your smile, either. Sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth that release acids onto your teeth, leading to decay and cavities. However, if you absolutely have to have candy or sweets this holiday season, make sure to drink water and eat as many of these goodies as you can in one sitting. Then, brush your teeth, so the sugar doesn’t sit on your teeth for too long.

Furthermore, the same goes for drinks like coffee and soda. These beverages are acidic and can strip the protective enamel from your teeth. Once it’s gone, you’re more susceptible to tooth decay. Water is always the best option for your body, but if you can’t resist coffee or soda during the holidays, drink it quickly and don’t sip it all day. Always remember to brush after consuming sugary foods and drinks. Dentist visits every six months can also help keep your teeth healthy!

Limit Sweet Beverages

Your teeth are exposed to sugars every time you drink a sugary beverage. While enjoying your favorite sweets is fine in moderation, it’s recommended that you reduce your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda and juice. These drinks are linked to tooth decay when consumed regularly. Water is the best alternative! It will not only keep you hydrated, but it will help wash away food particles and reduce bacteria production in your mouth.

Don’t Grind Teeth at Night

If you grind or clench your teeth at night, we recommend wearing an occlusal night guard to prevent tooth damage and keep teeth healthy. Grinding and clenching puts a lot of pressure on the teeth and can cause fractures and wear down of the biting surfaces. It can also result in jaw pain, headaches, earaches, or a sore jaw in the morning. A night guard is a removable plastic appliance worn over the biting surfaces of the back teeth. It prevents contact with the opposing teeth so that patients can rest easy knowing that their teeth are protected from wear. 

Quit Smoking Cigarettes

There may not be many New Year’s resolutions that your dentist can support more than your desire to quit smoking cigarettes. Your pearly whites are in danger every time you light up a cigarette, and the risk only increases as you continue to smoke regularly. The more you smoke, the more likely it is your teeth will become discolored, stained, or changed in appearance. Talk to your dentist about quitting smoking this new year so you can protect your smile.

To learn more tips to keep teeth healthy, visit Desert Inn Smiles at 3220 S. DURANGO DR. STE. B2, Las Vegas, NV 89117, or call (702) 834-7707.