The holiday season is arguably the best time of year to spend with friends and family. Still, it’s also hectic and often full of opportunities to indulge in less-than-tooth-friendly treats. Thankfully, with some foresight and some strides to keep up with routine dental care in Albion, you can help ensure a beautiful and healthy post-holiday smile.
Don’t Let Holiday Fun Disrupt Your Routine
One of the biggest threats to your oral health during the holiday season is — believe it or not — the hustle and bustle before the celebrations. With so much shopping, traveling, and entertaining to do, it can be all too easy to let your oral hygiene routine fall by the wayside. However, keeping up with your oral hygiene routine is essential year-round. Even a brief lapse could result in losing hard-earned habits and allowing tooth decay and gum disease to take hold.
No matter how busy the season might get, taking the time to protect your smile in the short and long term is always worth it. Generally, that means brushing and flossing twice daily to prevent bacteria and plaque from accumulating. You should brush for four minutes to ensure complete and thorough coverage. Additionally, don’t push yourself to brush harder or faster to save time. That kind of rough treatment will only harm your teeth and gums.
Take Extra Care Around Holiday Treats
Another potential oral health issue that surrounds the holidays is the wealth of sugary treats. Foods high in sugar may be fun to indulge in. Still, they provide plenty of energy for bacteria in your mouth to thrive, grow, and release acid that wears away at your enamel. This ultimately causes tooth decay, cavities, and the eventual need for root canals.
Avoiding holiday treats entirely, though, may not be a realistic approach. Instead, watch out for particularly sticky treats, as they’ll leave more behind on your teeth. Drink water with your snacks and meals to help wash away left behind bits of food. Keep in mind that alcohol isn’t good for your oral health either!
Keep Up With Your Routine Dental Care
Maintaining proper oral hygiene and avoiding sugary foods aren’t the only steps you need to take to protect your smile. There’s also the importance of preventive dentistry to consider. Most patients should visit the dentist every six months for a routine exam and teeth cleaning. After the holiday season runs its course, it is often a great time to schedule your appointment.
Teeth cleaning is an essential part of protecting your smile. Your dentist or dental hygienist will use a variety of special tools to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar — a hardened form of plaque that regular brushing can’t handle — from your teeth and reach gaps that you can’t.
The exam is just as important. Spotting signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health issues can help ensure the best outcome and avoid more invasive treatment. With regular dental checkups, you can take a proactive approach to your oral health no matter the time of year.
Your Home for Dental Care in Albion
Take the best possible care of your teeth this holiday season! Schedule your next appointment with Albion Family Dental – your home for all dental care in Albion, including routine dental exams and teeth cleanings that will keep your smile strong and healthy. Call at (585) 589-9044.