The holidays will be here before you know it. For most of us, that means trying to watch what we eat so we won’t gain too much weight during the season. But there’s another important consideration to keep in mind as you eat and drink your way through the holiday season: maintaining healthy teeth and gums. All the delicious foods that so many of us indulge in during this time of year can not only pack on the pounds; they can also wreak havoc with our oral health. Here are a few tips for keeping your teeth and gums in tip-top shape throughout the season.
- Stay on track with a daily oral hygiene routine. Whatever you do, make sure you brush at least twice a day and floss at least once each and every day, no matter what. Slipping just a little on your daily routine can mean additional buildup of plaque and tartar, and that can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. It’s actually a good idea to be especially diligent about oral hygiene during the holidays since so many of the foods we enjoy are loaded with sugar.
- Speaking of sugar – try reducing the amount of refined sugar you use in some of your favorite holiday recipes. Believe it or not, you can usually cut back on sugar by as much as half of what the recipe calls for and replace it with fruit like bananas or dates, or with flavoring and spices like cinnamon or vanilla. You’ll be surprised when you realize that people won’t even miss that additional sugar!
- Don’t forget to add a veggie tray to your holiday party menu. Vegetables like celery and carrots are not only good for your overall health; they’re good for your oral health as well. The crunchiness of these tasty veggies helps to actually clean the surface of your teeth. Add a delicious cream cheese dip for even more oral health benefits.
- Drink water at holiday parties and gatherings. Drinking water helps to wash away leftover food particles, and it also helps to keep you away from sugary sodas and fruit juices that can harm your teeth. Remember that beverages like wine and cranberry juice – two perennial holiday favorites – can not only stain your teeth, but also weaken your enamel. Water is a much healthier choice for a variety of reasons. And if that water comes from a fluoridated source – like much tap water does – it’s even better!
Gaining weight isn’t the only potential hazard of the holiday season! Our teeth and gums can also pay the price for all the holiday foods and drinks we enjoy. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid those problems by following these helpful tips. Your teeth and gums will thank you come January!
