Tis the season to be jolly and to keep your smile happy and healthy!
With Christmas parties in full swing and drinks and nibbles on tap, majority of us are guilty of feasting on treats and indulging in a little more ‘Christmas cheer’ than we usually would.
So how do we make it through the festivities and still manage to maintain good oral, and overall, health?
We have compiled 10 key oral health tips for avoiding cavities and keeping you and your teeth healthy and well during this festive season and beyond.
Timing is key
The biggest factor for the development of cavities is the length of time sugars are staying in your mouth. Try to squeeze in some cheeky brushes between meals, treats and drinks over the holiday period. This is the key to not letting those nasty sugars combine with the natural bacteria in your mouth and causing trouble.
Replace your tooth brush
While everyone’s getting new gifts, it is time to think about your teeth too. You should be replacing your brush every three months or after illness! If your child is flailing in their willingness to stick with a set brushing habit, what better time to get them a special toothbrush as a stocking filler.
Stress less
The silly season tends to also correlate with high stress levels. Try to keep calm and relaxed to help reduce the risk of grinding your teeth and experiencing headaches.
Don’t forget to brush and floss
Whether you have been naughty or nice this year, keeping up your regular oral hygiene routine of daily brushing and flossing during the silly season is a must! Try not to skip flossing as it plays such an important role in effective oral health especially after those sugary meals. Flossing is designed to get into the spaces between your teeth that brushing along simply cannot.
Drink plenty of water
It’s easy to get caught up in festive activities and forget about hydration. Not only will keeping up your water intake hep you to stay hydrated it will help flush out the sugars and other nasties from what you have been eating and drinking. So, keep your water bottle close by and regularly sip throughout the day.
Be careful of candy canes and crackling
Unless you are keen to chip or break your tooth this Christmas, hard lollies including candy canes are best avoided where possible. Be careful with crackling too!
Book your dental check up
Seeing a dentist on a regular basis is vital to keeping teeth in optimal working order and for general good health. The traditional rule of thumb is to visit the dentist every six months, so why not add it to your ‘to do list’ and book in an appointment to help keep your smile healthy and well.
Everything in moderation
Arghh, moderation, the dreaded word of the silly season. We don’t want to join in the nagging crowd of health professionals, but alas, it is a key way to keep those cavities at bay. Try having a glass of water every alternative drink and eat a healthy meal before you start your festive drink consumption.
Get plenty of shut eye
Outings with friends, dinner with family, late night gatherings and much more will keep you occupied this festive season; we understand we are hectic with the festive season just like you. It gets difficult to turn down requests for a boozy party during this time. But, among the array of festivities, make sure you create a balance between recreation and rest. Try to catch 7-8 hours of sleep to wake up refreshed and recharged the next day.
Remember to smile
Smile! Remember what the festive season is all about; family, friends, having fun and enjoying your time together! Let your happiness be the reason for you to smile, because your smile is your best accessory!
Merry Christmas from all of us at Sydney Dental Aesthetics and Implants and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.
To book an appointment, please call 9233 3301 or email info@sdai.com.au