4 Healthy Holiday Tips to Improve Your Smile This Year

Who doesn’t want a beautiful, healthy smile in 2020? It’s the start of a new year and new decade, so what can you do to keep your pearly whites looking their best this holiday season? With so many sweet treats and delectable goodies filling your home, it can be hard to resist temptation, but fortunately, your dentist has 4 easy-to-follow tips to help you through this sugar-filled time of year.

Keep Up with Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing should remain consistent throughout the holidays. While it’s easy to fall out of your normal routine because of late-night parties, family get-togethers, and binge-worthy holiday movie marathons, never forgo the few minutes each morning and night to care for your teeth and gums. By brushing your teeth for a full two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash, you can say “goodbye” to possible decay and disease and instead, say “hello” to a refreshing, healthy smile.

Enjoy Your Fruits and Vegetables

Apart from the green bean casserole and fruit salad, it may be difficult to find raw fruits and veggies laying around during the holidays. If this is the case, stop by the grocery store and pick up a few of your favorites. By choosing to snack on these healthy and nutritious foods, you are not only giving your body a break from the overload of sugar and starch found on your mom’s dining room table, but you’re also consuming foods that help to scrub away other food particles that can turn into plaque and tartar.

Pass on the Hard, Crunchy Candies

Your grandma’s kitchen likely has bowls of sweetened, hard candies just waiting for the next person to grab a handful. While it might be tempting to sneak one or two, your teeth will face the consequences. Not only are you more vulnerable to cracks and chips in your tooth enamel when eating hard, crunchy treats, but you’re also opening yourself up to sugar-loving bacteria to feed and spread along your pearly whites. Should this sugar sit too long on your teeth, it can break down your enamel and cause cavities to form. With this realization, just pass the bowl on to the next person and save yourself the possibility of a future filling by your dentist.

Don’t Be Afraid to Drink Plenty of Water

Water is one of the best beverages you can consume. It’s not only good for you, but it will increase saliva production, which helps to flush out any harmful bacteria and food particles living in your mouth. When your mouth is hydrated and moist, there is less of a chance for plaque and tartar to build upon your teeth and gums. Want to avoid dry mouth and bad breath? Drink plenty of water.

By following these simple tips, you will walk your way into 2020 with a show-stopping, stunningly beautiful smile.

Your oral and overall health is of the utmost importance, and it is evident with the family-friend atmosphere, patient-centered treatment, and high-quality dental care provided. To find a “dentist near me,” or for questions about our services, contact us or visit our dental office in Twin Falls.