The holidays are a joyous time but it’s also a time when everyone forgets their due diligence when it comes to many things. Yes, that includes taking care of their teeth.
It’s hard to blame people for not being able to maintain their oral hygiene throughout the holidays. There are parties left and right and you wouldn’t want to limit yourself on what you want to eat. The holidays are fun but that doesn’t mean you should use it as an excuse to forget about your oral health.
If you want to have perfect teeth all-year round, then here are a few tips to keep in mind.
1. Still Visit Your Dentist
Dentists are always close during the holidays. In fact, they might only be closed for a few days – Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the days before these occasions.
It would be a good idea to talk to your dentist and ask them about their schedule beforehand. That way, you’ll be well-aware of when they are and aren’t available. It’s good to know things like these as it helps you be more prepared just in case there are any emergencies regarding your oral health.
Once the holidays are done and you feel like you’ve indulged in eating a little bit too much over the last couple of weeks, visit the dentist immediately before you get back to work. If possible, get a deep cleaning done as well.
2. Be More Intensive About Self-Cleaning
It’s the holidays. Aside from having more parties to attend to, you also have more time on your hands as well. That being said, now’s the perfect time to be more intensive about your self-cleaning.
You should floss at least once a day. The best time would be around after dinner or before you go to bed so that your teeth are free from food particles as you sleep. You should also take an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal.
Brushing your teeth is already a given of course. It’s recommended that you brush at least twice a day. Make sure to brush lightly so that you don’t damage the enamel on your teeth as these serve as a layer of protection as well.
If you’re travelling far for the holidays, you should at least bring your own set of oral healthcare kits with you at all times.
3. Rinse After Every Meal
One thing that’s bound to overflow during this time of the year is wine. As good as wine is, they’re also bad for your teeth as these can actually cause discolouration as well.
If you’re drinking wine or anything that has solid color such as grapes, make sure to rinse after. In fact, you should rinse your mouth with water after every meal so that no discolouration occurs.
Ideally, you should rinse your mouth with warm water that’s mixed with salt. This helps sterilize your mouth as the same time. Gargle the solution or water around your mouth for thirty seconds before spitting it out.
4. Avoid Certain Food
It’s tough putting a limit on what you eat during the holidays. However, you’re going to suffer more later if you don’t control yourself now. There are a few food items that you should avoid during this time. They are:
- Wine
- Grapes
- Sugary snacks/candy
- Tough meat
There are many other things that you should avoid but these food items above are the worse for your teeth. If you can’t avoid them, you should at least limit the amount you consume.
Some things you should eat are crunchy vegetables and fruits. These can help give your teeth the right exercise and nutrients they need.
5. Never Use Your Teeth For Anything Else Than Eating
You’re bound to get some presents during the holidays and that’s good news of course!
As exciting as that sounds, stay calm first. A lot of people actually open their present with their teeth once they’re too excited. Don’t do this as this is very bad for your teeth. Only use your teeth for eating and nothing else. If you got a few presents, use scissors the next time you open them.
The holidays are supposed to be fun but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of your oral health. In fact, it’s even more important to take care of your oral hygiene during this time. With these tips, you should hopefully come out of the holidays with your teeth in excellent shape.
