Helpful Tips for a Healthy Christmas Smile
It’s Christmas time again. It’s that time of the year when families and friends get together to celebrate. There will be lots of tempting treats and delicious food served for sure which, if not consumed in moderation, can prove costly for your dental health. Here are some helpful dental tips for a healthy Christmas smile.
- Remember your basics in oral hygiene.
Follow your dental care routine more rigorously when its Christmas time. This is because when its Christmas, you will be having more sugary foods than usual. Therefore, make sure to brush twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily.
- Substitute Sweets with Other Healthy Alternatives
The naturally-occurring bacteria in our mouth feed off the sugar contents in sweets and produce acids that can harm your teeth. Therefore, it is healthier to substitute those candies and cookies which are weighing down your Christmas table with a veggie tray containing celery, crunchy carrots, and broccoli. The natural crunch of these vegetables will help to clean your teeth. You can also add some sources of protein to balance out the excess sugar everyone might consume. Chicken skewers, meats such as salami or ham are some excellent source of protein Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
- Allot a specific time for eating
When it’s Christmas time, you may be tempted to eat frequently even if you are not hungry as you have so much food on the table. However, remember that this puts your teeth more at risk of decay. To avoid this situation, set a specific time for setting the table for everyone to eat and don’t leave the food on the table indefinitely. Make sure there is a definite beginning and ending time to all the meals. This will ensure that people don’t have constant access to food that’s high in fat and sugar.
- Drink Plenty of Water
At times, you may feel hunger due to dehydration. In such situations, instead of reaching for food, you should drink water. Keep plenty of water at the table for your family and friends. Water will help to wash away sticky, sugary food residue from your teeth and help you to preserve a healthy mouth. You can provide them with cold water flavored with freshly cut lemon wedges or peppermint leaves for variety.
- Keep Everyone Busy
Christmas is a traditional break for children as well as adults from their school and work responsibilities. However, remember that too much free time on your hand might cause you to overindulge in sweets. Therefore, keep everyone busy with games or other activities. You can offer them sugar-free chewing gums while they are busy.
- Practice Moderation
Moderation is the key to healthy eating. However, kids can find it very difficult to practice moderation when it comes to sugary foods. The best way to teach them moderation is by setting an example by showing a balance on the food items you take.
If you need any help regarding your dental care this Christmas, make use of the dental health services provided by dental services in Des Moines.