Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Christmas is a festive time of year filled with friends and family gatherings, beautiful decorations, and delicious foods and drinks. The holiday season may be a time of unintentional indulgence, but your oral health can significantly suffer if you avoid proper care. To keep your oral health in good condition with an onslaught of carbonated beverages, sweet treats, and wine this holiday season, our family dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia of Tenaglia Smiles, shares five tips for a cavity-free Christmas.
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Limit Your Sugar Consumption
Altogether avoiding sugary cakes, cookies, or candies this holiday season can be challenging. However, by limiting your consumption, you can enjoy small bites without the guilt of damaging your oral health. So, feel free to enjoy your mom’s chess pie or your aunt’s famous Christmas cake. Just remember to brush and floss shortly after eating them to limit the amount of damage sugar and bacteria may cause.
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Stick to Your Oral Health Care Regimen
With the excitement of holiday festivities, it may be tempting to skip brushing your teeth, so you don’t miss anything. Even though proper brushing and flossing take a little extra time in the morning before opening gifts, your oral health is worth spending a few minutes taking care of your teeth and gums. Your children may fuss about having to wait to open presents but taking care of your oral health now is less expensive and time-consuming in the long run.
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Choose Cheese Over Fruit
Cheese and cranberries are suitable for your teeth in moderation. However, your experienced East Lansing dentist recommends exercising caution when consuming highly acidic foods as they can destroy the protective enamel that covers your teeth. However, cheese aids in returning your mouth to a neutral pH level resulting in fewer tooth decay risks.
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Your Teeth Are Not Tools
As everyone gathers to prepare for the annual Christmas festivities, make sure to have the appropriate tools handy for when you need them. Opening bottles or packages with your teeth is not a good idea. Using your teeth as tools to open items can crack, chip, and break your tooth, which may be expensive to repair or cause you to lose a tooth entirely. (You’ll be wishing for your two front teeth for Christmas)! Therefore, locate a bottle opener and a knife or scissors to open packages and bottles this year to protect your oral health.
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Practice Moderation
Regardless of the holiday, consuming sweet or acidic foods and drinks is best in moderate amounts to avoid undesired oral health complications. Although you may exercise moderation, it is still vital to brush and floss your teeth regularly to avoid negative consequences to your teeth and gums. Also, make sure to visit a Lansing dentist office for a regular checkup and cleaning after the holidays for optimum oral health.
Family Dentist in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Your smile is an asset, and you want it to remain cavity-free this holiday season. By following the above tips, you can keep your smile shining into the new year. However, as a reminder, there is still time for an end-of-the-year checkup and cleaning visit so you can utilize your dental insurance benefits before they expire. Feel free to contact your professional dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia of Tenaglia Smiles, to schedule your appointment by calling (517) 347-6733, or request an appointment online today.