Tooth Healthy Smiles This Holiday Season

Holidays often involve a lot of food, and sometimes that can be damaging to your teeth. Is it possible to enjoy the treats of the season without compromising your mouth health? Here are some suggestions to do just that!

Limit Sugars and Acids: Make sure that you aren’t snacking on sugary or starchy foods throughout the day. Have a treat of two, then stop for a while. This limits the amount of time the sugars and acids are in contact with your teeth. Try chewing a piece of sugar-free gum for 20 minutes to encourage saliva flow, which cleans your mouth.

Get enough calcium: Proper nutrition is vital for healthy smile maintenance. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for your mouth. Many people turn to dairy–milk, yogurt or frozen yogurt, or a variety of holiday cheeses. If you can’t have dairy, you can still get the daily requirement of calcium! Try integrating some non-dairy, calcium-rich foods into your holiday, like dark leafy greens in a kale or spinach salad. Fortified orange juice is also a good idea.

Diligent Oral Hygiene: Make sure you are brushing your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day. Floss for 2-3 minutes each day. If you choose to add mouthwash to your oral routine for the holidays, choose one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance to help guarantee a quality product.

For more information, call Kowalski Dental Offices in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, at 262-781-5600.  Dr. Kenneth Kowalski and our team are happy to help keep your smile bright this season!