It’s almost time for you and your family to gather around the Thanksgiving table.
Will your smile survive the holiday festivities unscathed?
It will if you trust our team at R. R. Williams, DDS to give you the resources and care you need to prevent dental problems that threaten your oral health!
Keep Your Teeth Healthy At Thanksgiving
Here are some helpful dental tips from your North Richland Hills dentist that will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums this season:
Go Easy On The Sweets
Indulge in your favorite holiday sweets and treats, but be careful not to overdo it.
It’s not so much the amount of sugar you consume that’s problematic for your teeth and gums, but the amount of time they are exposed to sugar that matters most. The bad bacteria inside your mouth doesn’t need much time to devour the food particles and sugary residue stuck between teeth and around your gums.
That process creates harmful acids that lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
So indulge the sweet tooth, but do it in one sitting rather than little by little all throughout the day.
Avoid Teeth Stains
Tooth enamel can be darkened over time due to our age, genetics, overall health, and lifestyles, all of which vary from person to person. But the truth is, none of us are impervious to teeth stains.
If you want to keep your smile as bright as possible throughout the holiday season, there are certain foods and drinks you can avoid or consume in moderation:
- Coffee & Hot Chocolate
- Red Wine
- Cherry or Chocolate Pie
- Cranberry, Marinara, & Other Dark Sauces
- Blueberries & Other Brightly-Colored Fruit Toppings
You get the idea. Dark pigments in foods and drinks can stick to tooth enamel, especially if those pigments aren’t washed off. You could keep your teeth clean between brushing by rinsing your mouth out with water after eating or drinking dark holiday treats.
Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene Routine
It’s really easy to get sidetracked during the holidays, especially if your daily routine is thrown off in some way due to special events or being away from home while visiting relatives.
But that shouldn’t keep you from the critical daily habit of brushing and flossing.
Preventing plaque buildup is easier when you keep your mouth clear of food particles and other debris that fuel harmful oral bacteria.
So keep up with your oral hygiene routine at home!
Schedule Your Next Appointment!
Whether it’s a holiday or not, the formula for a healthy smile doesn’t change.
It takes a daily commitment to good oral hygiene and routine professional care from a skilled dentist.
That’s what you can expect from our team at R.R. Williams, DDS in North Richland Hills, TX.
We look forward to seeing you at your next dental checkup and making sure your teeth and gums are in good shape for the new year.
Call us today at 817-281-4801 or fill out our online form to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Williams.