The holidays are a great time of year to spend with family and friends. While the holidays are fun, they are often busy with traveling, parties, and get togethers. During this busy time, you need to remember your oral health. It is easy to overlook your oral hygiene while you are traveling. Nothing will ruin your holidays more than damage to your smile. As your dentist in Grapevine, Dr. Greg Martin has simple tips to help you care for your smile during the holidays.
Remember to Brush and Floss Your Teeth
As you travel and spend time with family, it can be difficult to brush and floss your teeth regularly. However, with many holiday gatherings surrounded by sugary treats, your oral hygiene is vital to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. To make brushing and flossing easier while you are on the go, purchase an oral hygiene travel kit. With your oral hygiene travel kit, you can brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to remove harmful plaque and tarter accumulations.
Prevent Damage to Your Teeth
You will have a lot of great food choices at holiday gatherings; however, you may want to choose your foods wisely. Avoid foods that contain high amounts of sugar and starches, which can lead to tooth decay. Instead, choose fruits, vegetables, and drink water. You will also want to avoid foods that are known to cause tooth staining so you do not cause your bright white smile to dull. Avoid foods that are dark in pigmentation or contain high amounts of acid as they may cause your teeth to discolor.
Nothing will ruin your holidays quicker than a dental emergency. It is best to avoid foods that are overly hard, which can lead to a broken or cracked tooth. If you will be participating in any family sports, be sure to wear an athletic mouthguard to protect your teeth in case an injury to the mouth occurs.
Protect Your Dental Appliances
While traveling and enjoying time with family, do not forget to care for any oral appliances. If you have dentures, be sure to bring the proper travel cases, cleaning solutions, and adhesives. Bring everything you need with you to care for your oral appliance while on the go to protect your oral health and your appliances.
Visit Your Dentist
After the holidays are over, start the new year off right with a healthy, beautiful smile. Once the busyness of the holidays has settled down, schedule your semi-annual appointment with Dr. Martin. Dr. Martin will professionally clean your teeth to remove any plaque and tarter accumulations. In addition, he will provide a comprehensive examination to ensure you start the new year with a healthy smile.
Dr. Martin will provide the preventive and diagnostic care you need to start the new year with a bright, healthy smile. In the meantime, do not let poor oral hygiene ruin your holidays. Take the time to properly care for your teeth to smile brightly throughout the entire season.