Clean Teeth Tips for the Holidays

By sarajean on 12/17/09 2:04am
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From cookies to candies, gigantic feasts worthy of the gods to delicious wines, cocktails and other spirits, our teeth take a pretty big hit during the holidays. Sure, it’s fun and yummy and festive, but it’s not exactly enamel-rific. If you’re worried about your pearly whites this Christmas, try some of these tips to keep them in tip-top shape.

  • Rinse your mouth out with water if you don’t have access to your toothbrush. It might even be easier to carry around a little bottle of mouthwash than it is a toothbrush; use that if you like.
  • Chew some sugarless gum between meals. Chewing gum helps your mouth stimulate the production of saliva, which will help neutralize the plaque acid that attacks your teeth.
  • Don’t skimp on flossing. While you may not be able to floss every day, if you’re traveling don’t forget your dental floss—and floss every time you get the chance. This will help your mouth stay healthy in the long run.
  • Avoid tobacco and cigarettes. By now, you know that these are simply unhealthy for your mouth and can lead to cancer of the mouth, among many other ills.
  • Eat non-sugary foods if you get the choice. If you have popcorn, cheese, vegetables or other healthy foods available, go for those. Alternatively, make these the bulk of what you’re eating at the holiday party, and only nibble on the sugary stuff.
  • Carry around a mini toothbrush with a small tube of toothpaste. I like the Burt’s Bees Travel Toothbrush Kit, which is so tiny you can keep it in a purse or pocket.
  • Go easy on the sugar. For example, if you’re going to indulge in cookies, lay off the soda. Give your teeth a break by only eating or drinking a bit of sugar.
  • Balance the sugar out. You can eat an apple or some cheese while enjoying your sugar.  Apples are acidic, but not too acidic, which makes them great for cleaning off teeth and making them appear brighter. Research has indicated that if you eat cheese, which is rich in calcium, while enjoying something that destroys your enamel—such as wine—it can counteract the negative effects. It’s important to remember that neither of these can completely clean your teeth, and neither should replace tooth-brushing.
  • Practice good regular oral care. Use this guide from the American Dental Association for proper brushing and flossing techniques.
  • Ask your dentist for more tips.
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