Actions to Avoid Cavities During the Holidays
December 2, 2021
The holiday season is about togetherness and giving, but it’s also a time of year filled with sugar and starch-rich foods and drinks. The items are delicious, but they could increase the risk of tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about how to help protect your smile from holiday-related tooth decay.
The Link Between Sugar, Starch, and Dental Cavities
Often, our favorite holiday treats are high in sugar or starch. These two ingredients tend to cling to our teeth when we consume foods and drinks that contain them. Harmful oral bacteria will then find and consume these particles, and in the process, elevate the levels of oral acidity in our mouth and coat the teeth in plaque buildup. A bacterial byproduct, plaque weakens and erodes enamel, and also inflames gum tissues, leading to a greater risk of tooth decay, gingivitis, and gum disease. This buildup is also linked to bad breath and even dental discoloration. To help protect your smile, be sure you follow items high in sugar and starch with a glass of water to cleanse your smile. You should also add fresh fruits and veggies to your plate, which balances your male and also helps scrub away plaque!
Removing Trapped Food Particles
We need to take steps to clean our smiles too, removing trapped food particles before they can put our teeth and gums at risk. To do so, we need to brush and floss every day, even on holiday breaks! You and your family need to begin the day by brushing for two minutes and then doing this again before bed. A fluoride toothpaste should be used, as this helps strengthen outer enamel. In addition, before bed be sure you floss thoroughly, as this reaches the trapped particles that a toothbrush alone often cannot.
A Dental Exam Visit
Finally, be sure to see our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning. If you haven’t had your last one yet, there is still time to see us! A visit now means you end 2021 with a brighter and healthier smile, and that you can use your 2021 dental insurance benefits before they expire at the end of December. If you have any questions about how to protect your smile during the holiday season, or if you want to schedule an appointment for you and your family, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Avoiding a Cavity?
Our team wants to make sure you know how to limit your risk of developing cavities. To learn more about the steps necessary to avoid the onset of tooth decay, then schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.