Four Oral Hygiene Tips for the Holidays
It’s that time of the year again! The holidays have arrived and what comes with the holidays? Continuing a healthy dental care routine, of course! We know it’s a time everyone looks forward to as we have been waiting for those special desserts and drinks that we love so much. However, we must be careful in regards to portion sizes and types of foods and drinks we consume.
Hillcrest Dental professionals are highly-trained to understand your dental situation and provide the proper dental health care services you need to maintain a healthy smile. Our team is dedicated to providing the best general dentistry services to residents around the Charlottesville, VA area. We know everyone’s pearly whites need care year-round, so while you are thinking about what you would like to eat or drink, keep in mind how it might affect your teeth. To help you with this task, we have compiled a list of tips so that you can enjoy your holidays and still have a great dental visit!
1. Make Use of Travel Items
Whenever you are traveling away from home, pack a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and mouthwash with you. We recommend packing those items first as most people tend to pack their toothbrush last. This way, if you pack the toothbrush you use daily, you’ll still need it the day that you have to travel so it will end up in your suitcase last. If you have travel items, you don’t have to worry about forgetting your toothbrush or skipping your daily dental routine.
2. Avoid Sugar and Eat in Moderation!
Consuming an excessive amount of sugary foods is harmful to your teeth. We know it’s the holidays and that there will definitely be desserts — we’re not stopping you from devouring that delicious pie — but you should be aware of what you’re eating. If you are going to be eating sugary, chewy, sticky, or hard foods, you should eat them in moderation. You wouldn’t want to interrupt your holiday vacation for emergency dental services because of this. If it’s hard to say no, we recommend looking at what foods you plan to eat and visit the dentist right after the holidays have passed. Maybe even trying to make a few substitutions to your desserts such as carrots and cheese. Cheese helps with balancing acid from drinks while carrots help strengthen your tooth enamel.
3. Drink Water Often
Not only does water help our skin and bodies, but our teeth can experience the benefits from it too! While it’s easy to drink sodas and sugary juices, they aren’t the best for our teeth as it can leave stains on them. The acid from those drinks can also slowly break down the enamel on our teeth. If you do eat of drink anything sweet or acidic, it’s best in moderation. Drinking water more often will help reduce the risk of cavities, staining, and bad breath.
4. Go to the Dentist Regularly
Visiting your general family dentistry routinely is a task that usually needs constant reminders. There are many people who do not see the dentist unless they are already experiencing a lot of pain, at which point there is often major dental damage already done. Seeing the dentist regularly will ensure that any tooth and gum issues are taken care of. If you go a while without seeing a dentist for a checkup, it’s more likely that small problems will go unnoticed and become worse down the road. While emergency dental services are an option, we want to help you avoid that by providing general dental care services to keep your mouth healthy!
Make Plans to Visit Hillcrest Dental Near Blue Ridge, VA This Holiday Season!
Don’t let a dental emergency interrupt your holiday fun. At Hillcrest Dental, we provide many quality dental services ranging from general dental care to oral surgery. We understand that dental emergencies happen to individuals of all ages, which is why we provide emergency dental services to residents who reside in cities around the Charlottesville area as well!
When it comes to the health of your teeth, don’t delay! Contact us at (434)-973-2224 to set up your dental appointment today or fill out a form and request an appointment!
