Friday, December 9, 2016

Dental Tips for the Holidays

The cooler weather always brings about some of the best times of the year for most Americans.  What this usually signifies is that the summer is coming to an end and that our holiday season is upon us.  We are now going to be going through the fun times of family get-togethers, work parties, and Friendsgiving.  The joy of these times is great, but there are some downfalls of the extra sweets and treats that are usually consumed during this time of year.  The downfall of this is not only possible weight gain but really dental hygiene problems.  The attack our teeth take during this time of year is usually 3 to 4 times worse than any other time of the year.  That is simply because of the nature of the average American during this time and that we usually indulge more in yummy seasonal treats rather than those are drinks or snacks during this time of year.  It is simply natural to go to parties and be with more people at gatherings where food and drinks are normally present.  So I wanted to lay a few tips out for this year to help keep your teeth healthier and your dental bills lower in the coming year.

 


There is a simple way to lower the excess sugar you are putting on your teeth and allowing to eat away at your health.  The easiest and hardest thing to do is simply to not indulge in all the extra holiday treats this year.  You can substitute veggies and water for most of the holiday platters that you would be bringing or could be eating.  This is a great thing to do if you are able to do it.  In my own experience, I truly enjoy the seasonal treats and drinks.  But what I wanted to do and think most of us should do is consciously lower our normal consumption.  We should strive to save our dental health a little by simply eat and drinking less and substituting good things for our body instead of all the sweets.

 


The next thing that is great to do during this time of year is to actually keep up with your brushing routine or add in an extra brushing.  The American Dental Association suggests that we brush our teeth twice a day for two minutes on each brushing.  This is something that we all need to make sure that we are doing and us9ing a good protective fluoride toothpaste to protect our teeth.  If you are able to do it, then try and add a third brushing in as well.  I think that nothing is better than being proactive in our healthcare.  The best way to avoid getting extra visits to the dentist and paying for cavities and fillings is to keep them from happening.  So make sure you are brushing your teeth and you may need a little help.

 


I think the small disposable toothbrushes that already have pasted in them are amazing for this time of year.  The lack of time and extra travel that we have is usually a hindrance to dental hygiene during this time of year. But having a mobile individually packaged toothbrush that fits into the smallest of pockets allows you to simply brush in teh bathroom and keep going at the party.