How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays

The holidays are here, meaning that it’s time for gift-giving, visiting with relatives, and making delicious treats! Your dental health is probably pretty low on your list of things to maintain during the holiday season, but it’s more important than ever. This is because family get-togethers tend to involve more sugary treats and alcohol than you are used to having. Additionally, the increased stress and busy schedules can cause oral health to take a backseat.

Tips for Healthy Teeth During the Holidays

Below are a few tips on how to give yourself and your family the gift of healthy smiles:

• Alcohol – It doesn’t matter if you prefer red or white wines, the acid levels in alcohol will eat away at the tooth enamel. As this enamel weakens, your teeth become vulnerable to tooth decay and dental cavities. Avoid swishing alcohol around in your mouth and make sure to rinse with water between drinks.
• Stress – As strange as it may sound, stress can have a negative effect on your dental health. Stress leads to bruxism, which is the grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw during sleep. Here at Auburn Family Dental, we can fit you with a custom mouth guard to prevent the teeth from grinding into one another causing cracks or chips in the teeth.
• Sugar – The bacteria that live in the mouth has a favorite treat and that is sugar! As they feed, these bacteria create acids that can weaken the tooth enamel and cause dental cavities. We’re not suggesting that you abstain from sugar this holiday season, but it’s a good idea to brush your teeth or at least rinse with water after consuming excessively sugary meals.

A healthy, beautiful smile should always be part of your holiday wish list! The best way to keep your teeth healthy all year long is to brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and visit Auburn Family Dental for a checkup and a dental cleaning. Our dental office is located in Wichita, KS.

All of us here at Auburn Family Dental would like to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!