Even though the holidays may look a little different this year, it’s still important to consider your oral health during them. Sudbury Dental Arts, a dentist in Sudbury, MA, highlights some things to watch out for this holiday season.
Limit Your Sweets
Cookies, candies, and all sorts of other sweets are staples for the holiday season. It’s okay to indulge, just make sure you don’t overdo it. Try to keep to sweets that aren’t sticky to avoid them lingering for a while in your mouth. Hard candy is always something to be aware of too, as biting down at the wrong time can lead to a dental emergency. And always make sure to rinse your mouth with a drink of water after something sugary.
Stick to Your Oral Healthcare Routine
You may not be traveling this holiday season, but you’re still off your normal schedule. You’re off of work and focusing on family time. It can be easy to forget little things that are in your usual routine. Make sure you don’t slack with brushing and flossing, especially if you’re digging into holiday desserts. Set an alarm on your phone for morning and evening to make sure you’re brushing at least twice a day.
Use a Nutcracker
There’s a reason why nutcrackers are symbols of the holiday season. Nuts are a popular snack for people to munch on while they’re waiting for the holiday meal. They’re a pretty healthy snack, all things considered, but it’s important to utilize a nutcracker for the shells. It may be tempting to not wait for one or to challenge your sibling to a nut-cracking contest, but they can cause serious damage to your teeth.
Open Packages With Tools
Especially if you have kids excited to be opening up presents, they’re going to want some of their new toys out right away. Many of these are in layers of plastic packaging that you have to pry away to get the toy out. Always keep scissors or a pocketknife on hand to open these packages. Trying to open them with your teeth is another way to cause damage.
Drink Lots of Water
Cider, soda, and other sugary drinks are popular this time of year. Don’t shy away from having the occasional tasty beverage. But make sure you’re drinking a lot of water to balance it out. Water helps rinse sugar away from the teeth, and can also help get out food particles. Water is also crucial to avoid dry mouth and other side effects of drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
Schedule a Checkup With Your Sudbury, Massachusetts Dentist
Make sure you have a checkup scheduled to ensure your holiday festivities didn’t cause any dental issues. Call us or schedule an appointment online.
