The end of the year festivities can be rough on your dental health for a variety of reasons: unhealthy snacks (and meals, and drinks), stress, time pressures, and temptations to bend the rules and break healthy habits.
Here are some helpful recommendations from United Smiles to remind you how to be kind to your teeth this holiday season. Sometimes just a little encouragement and added awareness can be enough to bolster our will power and positively influence our behavior.
First of all, avoid or reduce increased holiday consumption of sweet foods and drinks, especially if they include alcohol. Sugars and alcohol are major contributors to the bacteria that weaken teeth and produce cavities and gum disease. Just keep that in mind as you participate in office parties, family gatherings, events, and shopping sprees.
Secondly, don’t neglect good dental habits. Brush twice and floss once every day, as usual. Consider this a chance to improve on your habits. Take a portable tooth-care kit with you for brushing after each meal. Make a habit of rinsing your mouth with water after snacks or drinks. Go to the gym, not just to stay in shape, but to help deal with additional end-of-the-year stress.
Finally, instill good oral hygiene practices in your loved ones. Help children to form healthy, life-long dental-care habits. Elderly loved ones might need help maintaining oral health, especially if they have any infirmities to deal with. Make visiting your dentist early in January a family tradition, so as to ward off seasonal dental damage.
A minor problem in January could be a major problem in March. So book a January cleaning and examination to ensure that your new year gets off to a good oral-health start.
United Smiles is conveniently located in the heart of Mernda Village, serving patients from all Melbourne metro areas. Our office includes ample parking at the rear of the building. Wheelchair access is also available at the front of the building. Surgery can be performed on patients while they are still in their wheelchairs.
To discover more about United Smiles, call us today on (03) 8682 8658 or book an appointment online.
Our goal is to make quality dental care affordable. We encourage you to take advantage of our latest offers. To find out more, visit our special offers page!
