Presents? Check. Decorations? Check. Cookies and other treats? Double check. Toothbrush?
The winter holiday season is a blur of activity, and between parties, dinners, and indulging your sweet tooth, it’s easy to let your oral health take the backseat. A lot of Dr. Simpson’s patients get a little lax this time of year, reducing their routine down to the twice daily brushing, but forgetting to floss, rinse, and everything else in between.
So if you’re traveling for the holidays this year, and want to skip the annual lecture from your dentist come January, here are a few simple tips to help keep your smile from losing its cheery glow.
Snack smart
One of the reasons that kids and adults love the holiday season is the wide array of tasty treats that suddenly surrounds us, tempting us with sugary sweet goodness for months. And because we don’t eat these things all year long, it’s easy to give yourself the go-ahead to indulge a little. But buyer beware: these delicacies do more than endanger your waistline. As often as possible, resist the urge to gorge yourself on anything sticky like caramel and even dried fruit, and watch your alcohol intake. All of these items and more will stick to your teeth, especially if you slack off and simply brush them without flossing or rinsing, and start to wear them down. By the time your next appointment comes around, you could be in danger of cavities and even worse.
Be prepared
We’ve already established that we have a habit of neglecting our oral health during the holidays, and traveling a lot to make every party certainly doesn’t help. That’s why you need to think ahead and keep extra supplies on hand! Have you got a long road trip looming ahead so you can see all of the grandkids? Travel packs of toothpaste, compact brushes, and smaller packages of floss are your new best friends. Hopping from one party to the next in a hurry? Minimal supplies fit well in pockets or purses, and can be really handy in a pinch.
Get proactive
Make an appointment with your dentist – during the holiday season. That’s right, you read that correctly. It might not seem like something you want to do in between dinner with friends and your office Christmas party, but making a point to visit your dentist in the middle of all that holiday temptation and a hectic schedule can be the best move for you and your teeth. In fact, you might even be able to squeeze in an appointment time with very little wait, given what time of year it is. Contact our office to request your holiday check-in, and say goodbye to any surprises left by the first wave of holiday goodies.
For all of your oral hygiene questions and concerns, no matter the season, stay tuned to our blog!