The holiday season is one of the toughest times of the year to stay on top of your dental health. With travelling and an unending supply of sweets, along with so much to get done, many of us forget to brush and floss as we should. But our teeth do not get a special pass just because it is Christmas. We understand that this is a special time of the year, so we have put together some excellent tips for enjoying holiday meals without jeopardising your dental health. Toothbrushing, sugar intake, teeth as present openers are some highlights.
The name ‘Christmas’ comes from the Mass of Christ. A Mass service is where Christians remember that Jesus died and then came back to life. The ‘Christ-Mass’ service was the only one that was allowed to take place after sunset (and before sunrise the next day), so people had it at Midnight! So we get the name Christ-Mass, shortened to Christmas.
Keep twice-a-day brushing routine, even in no time
Holidays are the perfect time for sleeping in, eating out, and being spontaneous with your day. Even if you’re not hitting that alarm clock at 6 am, ensuring you start and finish your day with your usual brushing and flossing routine means those extra gingerbread cookies or second glass of red wine aren’t hanging around longer to contribute to plaque buildup or stains.
Keep-up your Hydration during Christmas or festivals
Not only is water better for your teeth than fizzy drinks or alcohol due to its lack of sugar, but keeping hydrated can also assist with your mouth creating adequate saliva, which helps prevent bacteria growth. It’s a great time of year to enjoy a sweet drink or two, but remember to match your refills with a glass of plain or sparkling water. With our hot Australian summers, your whole body will thank you!
Treat yourself to a new toothbrush this Christmas
We generally recommend a new toothbrush every 3 months, so if you’ve got to December and realized your brush is looking a little lived-in, great! Appliances and gadgets are often on sale for Christmas and Boxing Day, so why not treat yourself to a new electric toothbrush? Likewise, a timer toothbrush for kids is a great stocking filler and means they’ll be more excited to keep up their routine.
Prepare healthy snacks in advance
It’s simple to succumb to all-day snacking on sugar-loaded treats when there are so many cookies, hard candies, and chocolates available. You can lessen your teeth and tummy’s burden by ensuring you have healthy snacks when you open the fridge, so you can just grab and go. Our favorites are capsicum and carrot stick with hummus, cherry tomatoes, feta-stuffed olives, or mixed berries for a sweeter treat.
Never use Teeth as Present-Openers for Christmas
Teeth are great for many things. But they do not make good tools for presents or bottle openers. Using your teeth to open bottles, packages, packets, etc., may not end well. With time, this activity weakens the enamel and makes the edges of your teeth more fragile, leading to cracks and breakages.
Book your dental checkup before you head back to work
Utilize those final free days to get your health in order, including a check-up with your dentist. Even if you’ve abstained from the sweet stuff, January is a great time to book in and kick start your New Year ensuring your teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy. With our online booking system, you can even set and forget your appointment for as far in the distance as six months!
Some things you can do as a family:
Start a New Family Tradition
Serve a Non-Traditional Dinner
Wrap Gifts in Fabric
Host a Virtual Gathering
Decorate you space
Give Back
Play a New Christmas Game
And if you do discover a Cavity
A cavity can strike the best of us, even if we have taken positive steps to prevent one. If you do happen to find yourself with a cavity this festive season, at Royal Dental Clinics, we are happy to help you address it and get back to the festivities as quickly and painlessly as possible. Your smile is an asset, and you want it to remain cavity-free this holiday season. By following the above tips, you can keep your smile shining into the new year. Here’s wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. A year full of success, happiness, and lots of healthy smiles!
