How to Protect Your Teeth From Cavities
The holiday season is full of food, friends, family and fun. You will probably have multiple feasts during this time of celebration with a multitude of food and sweets. While you may not be very focused on clean eating, you should still be wary about the possible dental problems you may face during the holidays such as cavities. There are many ways to avoid these, and our team of professional family dentists at Hillcrest Dental in Albemarle County, VA is there for you if one creeps up on you.
Here are some smart ways you can avoid cavities this holiday season!
1. Eat Sugary Foods with Your Meals
As you will be eating a lot during this holiday season, watching what you eat can help prevent dental problems. Saliva production increases while you eat your meals, which help wash away unwanted food particles and balances out production of acid in your mouth. This way when you eat sugary foods with your meals to prevent cavities, you will still be able to enjoy holiday sweets.
2. Avoid Sticky Candy
Food debris that remains in your teeth can combine with saliva, bacteria, and acid to form plaque, which leads to cavities if unattended to. Sticky sweets like gummies, taffy, or even dried fruit will stay in your teeth longer. This will increase your chances for cavities to form, so stay away from those as much as possible to avoid a dentist trip.
3. Watch Your Hard Candy Intake
The holiday season is for enjoying quality time with family and taking a break from all the craziness in your life. The last thing you want, especially during the holidays, is a chipped tooth or cavity, resulting in a long visit with the dentist. Watch your consumption of hard candy, so you can avoid any unpleasant dental problems.
4. Limit Alcohol
Many of the adult drinks during the holidays are very sugary, such as eggnog and the many delicious celebratory cocktails. Be careful of how many sugary beverages you drink, even if they’re non alcoholic. Alcohol can also dry out your mouth, so limit your intake as much as possible.
5. Be Aware of Starchy Desserts
Similar to sticky sweets, starchy foods can also get strapped in your teeth if you don’t pay attention. It’s important to make sure you floss after eating during the holidays to remove the food particles that can lead to plaque buildup and cavities. This is especially important if you tend to eat large amounts of starchy food during these holiday feasts.
6. Water and Gum
Another way you can wash out unwanted particles from your mouth is simply by drinking more water or by chewing sugarless gum. Doing this is a way to continue increasing your saliva production in between meals, so you can avoid tooth decay.
Hillcrest Dental: There for You Through all Your Holiday Dental Needs
Preventing cavities can be easy if you watch what you consume and brush your teeth regularly. Hillcrest Dental ensures you keep smiling through the holidays with our professional general dentistry services and highly experienced dentists. With free consultations for cosmetic dentistry services in Albemarle County, our dedicated team will be able to personally serve all your needs. Contact us at (434) 973-2224 to schedule an appointment before this holiday season arrives and don’t forget to floss!
