Tips For a Healthy Mouth Throughout the Holidays
The holidays are nearly here, and with them comes a wonderful array of delicacies you’ve been waiting to enjoy since last year. Following are some tips to enjoy the holidays and find ways to have a healthy mouth throughout the coming weeks. With a little forethought you can get through the holidays with your healthy teeth intact.
Stop Grazing
Holiday parties usually have a wide variety of foods to choose from. Non-stop grazing can put your teeth at greater risk for decay. If your party is not a formal dinner, limit yourself to one plate of refreshments and then walk away. Your teeth will be exposed to less sugar if you’re not constantly snacking.
Fresh Fruit and Veggies are Good for Your Teeth
Instead of sugary desserts, fill your plate with fresh fruits to satisfy your sweet tooth or serve a healthy serving of crunchy veggies and focus your attention on the people at the party instead of a plate of cookies and sweets.
Cheese and Meat Platters Are a Satisfying Party Snack
Cheese is a delicious party food, especially if you’re drinking alcoholic drinks or soft drinks. Cheese helps to neutralize the acids found in these beverages, and the calcium is great for your tooth health. Meats are a great source of protein, which helps to fight tooth decay and will keep your teeth strong and healthy.
Enjoy a Toast
Adult beverages are highly acidic, which can wear away your tooth enamel. To cut the acid content without cutting into your celebration, nibble on a chunk of cheese in between sips. The alkaline in the cheese neutralizes the acid in the beverage and will protect your teeth. You could also raise a toast with a glass of refreshing water. Your teeth will thank you for it!
Chew Sugarless Gum
Chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay because it increases the flow of saliva, which washes away food and other debris. The increased saliva carries with it more calcium and phosphate to help strengthen tooth enamel. Chewing gum will also keep your mouth busy, so you are less likely to eat any more food.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid Eating Candy
Foods that are sticky, hard, gummy or chewy are not tooth friendly. This includes candy canes, homemade caramels, and other holiday favorites. These treats take up to 10 minutes to dissolve, and literally bathe your teeth in sugar. These can be worse for your teeth than other treats such as cake and cookies.
Red Wine Can Stain Your Pearly Whites
Drink white wine since red wine can stain your teeth. Your pearly whites will thank you for it! If red wine is the only selection, drink it with food to lessen the impact on your teeth. Wine also contains acid, and puts your tooth enamel at risk, so limit drinking wine and soft drinks since they can damage your teeth.
Schedule a Visit with the Dentist
To maintain a healthy mouth, schedule a visit with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS. Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do to enjoy healthy teeth and gums. Examinations every six months will keep plaque in check.
Dr. Evanson is committed to bring her patients of all ages the best and most advanced dentistry the profession has to offer. Give her a call today at (720) 409-0008 or contact her online to make an appointment before the year ends so you can maintain healthy teeth and gums during the holidays and in the coming year.
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