For many people, the holidays are filled with fun and family, sugary sweets, and bubbly drinks. The last thing any of us wants during this festive season is for an untreated dental emergency to put an end to our holiday fun. If you want to keep your smile healthy this holiday season, keep reading to learn more about how to avoid dental emergencies and keep your smile bright.
1 – Limit Your Fizzy Drinks & Sugary Sweets
Almost every holiday season gathering will be rife with wine, spirits, and sweets. No one wants to cut these festive treats out completely, but moderation is important. Don’t sip your fizzy drinks or snack on sweets all day long. Instead, consume these items within half an hour and brush your teeth, use a mouth rinse, or drink water directly after to prevent dental wear or tooth decay.
2 – Clean Your Teeth Regularly & Schedule a Checkup
You should always brush your teeth at least two times each day and floss daily. During the holidays when you are likely to consume more damaging foods and drinks, consider brushing between meals or using an antimicrobial mouth rinse to remove foods from teeth before they have an opportunity to damage your smile. If you don’t already visit the dentist during the holiday season, talk to your dental team about adjusting your regular dental checkup schedule, so you can receive a professional examination and cleaning during this high risk time of the year.
3 – Know the Signs of Stress Related Teeth Grinding
Many people experience stress during the holidays, and this puts patients at a higher risk for bruxism, unconscious teeth grinding and clenching. This oral health concern that typically occurs at night can cause significant dental damage, so it’s important for you to recognize the warning signs of this condition. If you wake with teeth that feel sensitive, morning headaches, or notice your teeth look shorter, you may be experiencing bruxism. Ask your dentist about preventive nightguards to protect your teeth, if you suffer with chronic or stress related bruxism.
4 – Don’t Use Teeth as Tools
When you’re wrapping gifts for your loved ones, keep your scissors nearby or use a properly functioning tape dispenser rather than using your teeth to shear off pieces of tape. Use nut crackers not teeth to crack nuts. Do not open packaging or rip off tags with your teeth. This is good advice all year round, but at the holiday season, you may have more opportunities to damage teeth than you do at other times.
Meet Dr. Rose
At the Melbourne dental office of Beverly Rose, DMD, we are dedicated to helping every patient achieve and maintain their healthiest smiles. If you or a loved one experience a dental emergency this holiday season, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Exceptional Dentistry team. We offer same day emergency dentistry appointments whenever possible to ensure patients are free from pain right away, and help you start down the road to a healthy restoration. Call our office to find out more or schedule your dental checkup today.