The holiday season is often synonymous with excess and celebration. This period allows us to get together with friends and family and to get away from work and school. It is therefore a good opportunity to break away from our usual routine. However, such a lack of healthy habits should not result in oral health problems. To help you enjoy the holidays without jeopardizing the condition of your mouth and teeth, your dentists at the Centre Dentaire Georges in LaSalle offer the following advice.
Oral health and the holiday season: what are the links?
During the Christmas holidays, we sometimes change our lifestyle habits, at least for a few days. These disruptions make it more difficult to maintain good habits and consistent oral hygiene. And this, in several ways:
- You might forget to floss before going to bed, especially if you come home late. You might also neglect to brush your teeth after a festive meal, eaten outside the home, far from your toothbrush!
- Holiday tables are often filled with acidic or sugary foods such as the Yule log, marinades that accompany the stew, cranberry sauce and many others. We also treat ourselves to a lot of sweets such as assorted chocolates and candy canes.
- We tend to eat at irregular times and snack between meals or in the evening, especially if the Christmas stocking was filled with tempting candies. This increases the risk of cavities, since we salivate less than during full meals and we are less likely to brush our teeth afterwards.
- Parties can be very boozy, which increases the dangers associated with alcohol.
How can you reduce these risks during the holiday break?
By maintaining good oral hygiene habits
If you can’t brush your teeth after every meal, at least make sure to do it in the morning and evening. Each time, take at least two minutes to brush everywhere. Also, make sure to floss at least once during the day. To do this, you can do it during the day, even if it is normally recommended to floss before bed. This way, you are less likely to skip this important step, due to fatigue or forgetfulness.
By limiting sugary snacks and nibbling
It is difficult to avoid all sugary and acidic foods during the holidays. To limit the associated risks, such as cavities, try to eat your sweets at the end of meals as much as possible. Also avoid snacking between meals and in the evening, because your teeth are then exposed for longer to bacteria that feed on sugary residue. If you still succumb to temptation, rinse your mouth after eating, no matter when!
By drinking enough water!
Water has many benefits for oral health. It promotes the production of saliva, a fluid that acts as a natural cleanser, in addition to helping to rinse away food particles. For these reasons, it is beneficial to drink it regularly, especially after meals or after consuming alcoholic or sugary drinks.
By paying attention to your alcohol consumption
Even if it is sometimes difficult to completely abstain from alcohol, at least avoid overindulging during the holiday season. Try to follow Éduc’alcool’s recommendations and take breaks between more boozy evenings.
By scheduling an appointment with your dentist!
Finally, we recommend that you schedule your next visit to the clinic now, especially if your last exam and cleaning was more than six months ago. This will allow us to ensure your good oral health and offer you appropriate care, if necessary. It’s a great way to start the year off right!