Between organizing family gatherings, decorating the house, and preparing for the arrival of friends who live out-of-town, the holidays can be incredibly stressful. The last problem you need to worry about is an unexpected visit to your dentist in San Antonio due to a severe toothache. Although it can be easy to get wrapped up in all the chaos surrounding the next month, it’s important to take preventive measures to fortify your oral health. Read on for five holiday tips that can save you from experiencing a dental emergency during your busiest time of the year.
If You’re Going to Eat Sweets, Eat Them With Your Meal
You may be tempted to snack on sweets that your grandma brought over during your holiday family gathering instead of making a healthy lunch. However, exposing your mouth to sugar regularly throughout the day doesn’t allow your saliva to successfully rinse it away, increasing your risk of developing cavities and gum disease. If you have a craving for sweets, it’s best to eat them with your meal, while your saliva is flowing and won’t allow sugar to settle on your teeth.
Stay Hydrated With Water
Eggnog, apple cider, and hot chocolate are all delicious holiday drinks, but they’re also all packed with sugar. Instead of subsisting on sweet or alcoholic beverages that can increase your chances of experiencing dental pain and enamel erosion, be sure to stay hydrated with water. It will promote saliva production, neutralize acid, and rinse away food particles that create the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in.
Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene Routine
It can be easy to get caught up in your busy schedule and break your dental hygiene routine. However, without regular brushing and flossing, you’ll be putting your mouth at risk. Even though the stress of the season may be getting to you, set morning and nightly reminders to take care of your pearly whites so you don’t end up with more stress on your plate than you bargained for.
Manage Your Stress
You probably have a long checklist of tasks that you need to complete before everybody arrives for the holidays. Constantly having something to do and always having tasks on your mind can increase your stress-level, causing you to develop harmful oral habits such as grinding and clenching your teeth and biting your nails. These can cause your enamel to quickly wear-down, leaving your pearly whites unprotected and vulnerable to decay. To manage your stress over the next month, be sure to take time for yourself by reading, meditating, or taking a walk when everything begins to feel overwhelming.
Stay Away From Sticky, Hard, and Chewy Foods
Sweets and snacks that are sticky, hard, and chewy can cause you to chip, crack, or fracture a tooth. While your teeth are incredibly strong, they’re not indestructible, which is why it’s important to be mindful of what you’re chewing on.
If you run into any oral health problems or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms over the holidays, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist in San Antonio. They can provide you with first-aid guidance and fast treatment to ease your pain and get your oral health back on track before your celebrations begin!
About the Author
Dr. Racha Kadamani has over 18 years of experience in dentistry and is proud to provide her patients with high-quality and thorough comprehensive dental care. She stays current with the latest advancements in her field and uses advanced dental technology, so nothing is left to chance. She also strives to provide her patients with the tools and knowledge they need to optimize their oral health and enjoy their natural smiles for their lifetime. For questions or to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning, visit Laith Family Dentistry’s website or call 210-782-6842.
