As a child, the holidays were a magical time when delicious treats, parties, and presents just magically manifested. You still love this time of year as an adult, but it now comes with a bit of stress because it’s up to you to make the “magic” happen. This can affect many aspects of your life, a key one being your smile and oral health. Thankfully, these 3 tips will help you keep your pearly whites pearly while still enjoying the festivities.
Tip #1: Make a List (& Check It Twice)
Millions of Americans will be traveling this season, whether it’s across the country, across the globe, or just down the street. In the midst of packing winter clothes and stocking stuffers, make sure you include your toothbrush, floss, and even alcohol-free mouthwash.
Of course, it’s also paramount that you stick to your oral hygiene routine wherever you end up. This will not only prevent decay, but also help you avoid stains from all those darkly pigmented holiday beverages (hot cocoa anyone?).
Tip #2: Everything in Moderation (Including Moderation!)
Everyone knows that calories don’t count during the holidays, so that extra slice of ham, piece of pie, or stack of cookies don’t need a second thought. Of course, your teeth are still keeping the score, as extra food (especially sweets) means oral bacteria is given additional fuel to produce cavity-causing plaque.
Simply drinking a full glass of water between each helping or beverage will naturally fill you up, rinse away excess food particles, and make it easy to not overindulge (without feeling like you’re missing out).
Tip #3: Beware the Brittle (& Bones)
No matter what the calendar says, you should always be mindful when biting into extremely hard or crunchy foods. Popular holiday items like peanut brittle can be very damaging to the enamel if you’re not careful, as can meat with bones. Eat what you like, but if something is a bit tough, be a bit careful—this can save you from accidentally chipping or cracking a tooth!
Bonus Tip: If you still have time, scheduling a checkup and cleaning with your dentist before your calendar fills up is a great idea. This will make sure a minor issue doesn’t become a major problem in the middle of holiday dinner, plus you’ll have a chance to use your dental insurance benefits before they reset at the beginning of 2025.
You deserve to relax and have a great time during the holidays, and by keeping these 3 tips in mind, you’ll have one less thing to stress about.
About the Practice
Dr. Krysten Jackson and Dr. Eric Parsons are husband-and-wife dentists who graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Dr. Jackson completed an elite Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency there, and Dr. Parsons is constantly training to use the latest technology to deliver the most comfortable and effective treatment possible.
The holidays are here, and we want to make sure your smile is ready for all the pictures that will inevitably be taken! You can schedule an appointment at El Reno Family Dentistry by clicking here or calling (405)262-6737.