The Christmas holidays season is upon us and it is a time for smiles, joy, shopping, and of course parties. At the Christmas holiday parties, you want to show off your pearly whites. However, if you eat too much sugar or drink too much alcohol, it may affect your teeth. Also, Christmas holidays dental care is particularly important: while dental emergencies may be inevitable, you need to keep up with oral hygiene throughout the holidays.
Often when toothbrush and toothpaste are not available at Christmas parties we can rely on these tooth-friendly foods:
- Cheese is rich in calcium and can balances the PH in your mouth, which will lessen the effects from acid from alcoholic beverages.
- Nuts contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, which can help keep our teeth and gums healthy.
- Vegetables, such as broccoli and carrots, are especially good for you teeth and contain vitamin A, which is essential for strengthening tooth enamel.
- Also, eating raw vegetables can promote good oral health, because when eaten raw, they massage your gums, encouraging blood flow and cleaning your teeth.
- Finally, Christmas turkey is a great source of protein, which is rich in phosphorous. By eating plenty of proteins you can help reduce tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy.
However, most traditional Christmas party treats are not teeth-friendly. For example:
- Sweets contain sugar and are prime cause of an acidic biofilm that causes dental decay. Acid resulting from eating too many sweets can dissolve minerals essential to healthy teeth. If you do eat sweets, do so after a meal and brush, floss, and rinse thoroughly.
- Fizzy carbonated drinks are usually loaded with sugar as well. But even when they are not, sugar-free and diet drinks are also problematic. They can be highly acidic and can cause tooth enamel erosion. If you must drink them, use a straw to minimize impact.
- White wine can contribute to enamel erosion, since it can be very acidic. Try drinking it with your main meal rather than sipping it throughout the day. Red wine may increase the risk of staining your teeth.
Additionally, to prevent any dental and healthcare emergencies this Christmas season, remember to follow these two simple rules:
- Don’t open bottles or anything else with your teeth, which may cause them to chip and break.
- Don’t forget to hydrate yourself. Drink one glass of water for every hour you work. This will flush harmful bacteria from your mouth and also keep the digestive system healthy.
But if dental emergency does happen, remember that during the holiday season we will be open through 12/23 and then closed 12/24 through 12/27. The following week, we will be open 12/28 through 12/30 and then closed from 12/31 through 01/03. So call us at 213-486-0006 or make appointment online when you need us and enjoy the holiday season!