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How to: Protect Your Teeth During the Holidays

Michael Wahl • December 11, 2018

You’ve barely finished washing all the Thanksgiving dishes, yet Christmas is already knocking! You’re probably getting invites to holiday parties and cookie exchanges while bags of holiday cheer appear from neighbors, friends, and co-workers. Tis the season to eat lots of sweets! It’s not practical to avoid all sweet treats during the holidays, so let’s discuss some tips for how you can protect your teeth without being a Grinch!

Be Picky

Allow yourself to indulge in some sweets, but choose wisely. The best treats for your teeth are not too hard and sticky and don’t take too long to eat. The longer you expose your teeth to sugars, the more you weaken hard surfaces. A treat that has more sugar but that you eat in one sitting is better for your teeth because your teeth are not exposed to sugars for as long. Sodas and hard candy are especially bad for your enamel because you tend to nurse them for longer. Choose to consume dessert in one sitting instead of savoring it over the course of an hour or more.

Brush, but not right away

You might think that right after enjoying a treat you should go brush your teeth to clean off any sugar, but it’s actually better to wait a little bit! Eating sugar creates acid which weakens your enamel, but it re-hardens in about 30 minutes. If you rush to brush as soon as you finish eating you can remove parts of your enamel in your zeal to get your teeth clean. Protect your teeth by brushing about 30 minutes after you’ve finished your dessert.

Drink Plenty of Water

Add this to your list of 1,000,001 reasons to drink more water. Drinking generous amounts of water after you eat or drink sugary treats can help rinse away sugars and food particles. You don’t want all of that to sit on your teeth because it can weaken your teeth, but as we mentioned above you also don’t want to rush to brush. Also, most water has added fluoride which helps to counter-act the acid produced by bacteria after you eat sugar. Fluoride helps re-mineralize your teeth and strengthen the enamel. Enjoy a tall glass of water with your meals and especially with dessert.

Use a Real Swiss Army Knife

We know your teeth seem strong- they’re bone, right? But they are NOT made for cracking nutshells , opening beer bottles, or acting as a third hand. Invest in a real nutcracker and bottle opener! We promise they’re cheaper than replacing your teeth. Using your teeth for hard tasks like this can lead to chipping, breakage, or weakened enamel. Protect your teeth by skipping these shortcuts and grabbing the proper tools instead.

Don’t Go Hungry

Planning on going to a holiday party? Have a proper meal with balanced nutrition before you go. That way you’ll be able to enjoy a small number of cookies or cake without gorging yourself. When we’re hungry our eyes get too big and we eat more than we really need.

Stick to Your Routine

Even though you may be traveling a lot or staying up later than typical, keep time in your schedule for your full oral hygiene routine. In light of dietary changes, be intentional to brush, floss, and use a rinse to keep your pearly whites strong and healthy. We recommend keeping a small dental hygiene kit in your purse or car in case you forget or need to brush on the go. A small dental floss, travel toothbrush and paste, and small rinse don’t take up much space and are a smart investment to protect your teeth.

 

Enjoy your holidays, celebrate a little! Just make wise choices about your oral health by indulging in moderation and caring for your teeth afterward. From all of us at West One Family Dental, we hope your holiday season is filled with joy!

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • September 1, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • August 25, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • August 18, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • August 11, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • July 28, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • July 21, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • July 14, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • July 7, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • July 1, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • June 23, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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