The 12 tips of Jolly Holiday Dental Health

 Yay! It’s that time of the year where peace, goodwill and thankfulness is all around us. Here are 12 tips to keep your mouth and overall health happy so you can focus on spreading the holiday cheer.
Enjoy the Turkey- It’s a great source of lean protein and phosphorous which help your body fight tooth decay and keep you healthy
Eat your veggies- there are a variety of wonderfully colored vegetables that meet everyone’s palate and can be made many ways. Enjoy the fresh crunch from asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, to name a few that can help cleanse your teeth as you chew.  They are also loaded with minerals that strengthen dental health.
Eat more yummy Fruits- Just like vegetables, there are a variety of delicious fruits with antioxidants and minerals that support your teeth.
Avoid hard candy. Candy canes, peppermints, lollipops are everywhere on holidays. They can crack and chip your teeth. Sucking on them for long periods of times can saturate your mouth with sugars that can dissolve your teeth and create cavities.
Limit alcohol intake. Darker beverages can stain your teeth and some contain more sugar which can cause cavities. Moderation is certainly key.
Say no thanks to soda. This sugary and acidic substance will wreak havoc on your teeth as well as the rest of your body. For bubblies, opt for carbonated water instead.
Eat more dairy products- The ph balance of cheeses can help neutralize acids. Calcium from dairy is excellent for strong teeth.
Don’t use your teeth as tools- Biting your nails or cuticles; and holding and opening things with your teeth will create cracks that can spread and break larger portions of your teeth.  From wrapping and opening holiday gifts to opening a bottle to drink, please use tools like scissors and bottle openers and not the pearly whites.
Have excellent brushing habits.  Optimal brushing should be at least 2 minutes with a soft bristle brush to get the remnants of food out. Humming to your fav Christmas song makes it that much more pleasant.
Floss daily. Keep the contacts clean as well to help avoid gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Use a ADA approved mouthwash. There is also a lot of socializing around the holidays. Instead of sucking on that sugary peppermint candy cane, use a mouth rinse to keep your breath smelling fresh. The fluoride in them also keep the teeth cavity-free.
Lastly make the holiday meaningful and carry that on for the years to come. Enjoy the company of good friends and family. Be thankful and gracious, love more, laugh more, sing more, dance more and smile more.
From all of us at Dr. May’s, we wish you a happy holiday!  We are located at 25385 Wayne Mills in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-505-2926.