Good oral hygiene and seeing us for regular cleanings and exams go a long way toward getting and keeping a healthy smile. Nether of those things is too difficult. Still, with lots of sugary treats and disrupted schedules, your oral health can suffer during the holidays. It doesn’t have to, though.

If you need to schedule your next exam, call us today at 480-485-7585 for an appointment in Gilbert, AZ. If you’re a new patient, ask about our $49 special, including X-rays. In the meantime, check out our tips for keeping your smile in great shape during the holiday season:

  • Don’t Let Travel Disrupt Oral Hygiene – It’s easy to let twice-daily brushing and flossing slip if you’re traveling. But do your best to maintain these important habits. Pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss where you can easily get to them even if you get separated from your luggage. If for some reason you can’t brush or floss for an extended time, chew sugar-free gum. It increases saliva production, which helps rinse away bacteria and other cavity-causing substances. Choose a gum that contains xylitol, which has natural decay-fighting properties. 
  • Use Your Hands, Not Your Teeth – Few of us have never used our teeth as tools. It’s especially tempting during the holidays because there are lots of packages to open. But it’s a dangerous habit that can crack, chip, and even break teeth. Don’t open bottles with teeth either, or crack nuts. Avoid crunching down on popcorn kernels, ice, or other hard substances. 
  • Skip the Candy Canes – Sticky, sugary treats like candy canes are especially bad for teeth. Since they cling so stubbornly to enamel, they are more likely to cause cavities. Chocolate is a much better option. It’s soft, so it melts easily and rinses away from teeth.
  • Drink Water Instead of Soda – Water is the best choice for dental health, since it doesn’t contain sugar or acids that can eat into your tooth enamel. Make sure you drink lots of it, especially when consuming cookies or other sugary treats. 
  • Pick the Right Foods at the Holiday Table – Try your best to avoid excess sugars. Drink tea or coffee without sugar. Scrape the marshmallow topping off the sweet potato casserole. Eat pumpkin pie instead of more sugary types like apple or cherry.

If you do suffer a dental injury during the holidays, call us ASAP at 480-485-7585 so we can help.