Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene During the Holidays

Maintaining Good Dental Hygiene During the Holidays

178080880People celebrate the holidays in their own ways, but food is typically involved in some capacity. If you do not want to spend your new year with your dentist in Tucson, it helps to keep up on your hygiene throughout the festivities. Here are a few tips for maintaining good dental hygiene during the holidays.
Limit Your Snacking
In many families, the snacks may be each member’s favorite part of the holidays. While it is okay to celebrate in such a filling way, doing so improperly can have negative effects on your oral health. Snacking in between meals means you are exposing your teeth to food debris for a longer period of time. Consider snacking just before or after a meal and drinking plenty of water to flush food debris and bacteria from your mouth.
Let Go of Your Stress
Not everyone looks forward to the holiday season, and some people actually experience greater levels of stress during this time of year. Unfortunately, high levels of stress can lead to problematic behaviors like excessive drinking, overeating, and grinding your teeth. While stress can have a negative impact on your overall well being, it can be particularly hazardous to your teeth as well. Try meditating or going for a walk when you feel stressed. If you continue to grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about a custom mouth guard and other solutions they may have.
Keep Brushing
The holidays are no time to forget about dental hygiene. Be sure to keep brushing your teeth twice each day with fluoride toothpaste throughout the year. You should also floss your teeth once every day and be sure to continue making appointments with your dentist.
Your dentist in Tucson is an essential component of good dental hygiene, so be sure to set up an appointment before or after the holidays. John Carson, DDS practices cosmetic dentistry and offers a wide range of other dental procedures as well like root canals and dental crowns. Feel free to call our offices at (520) 514-7203 for more information about our services.