Give Yourself the Gift of Health Teeth
Thanksgiving and Hanukkah have passed, and now Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve remain. It is not too late to remember the most important gift of the season—good oral health.
At Dakota Dental Apple Valley family dentistry, we believe it is essential to put your own name on your gift-giving list. What better present can you give yourself than a healthy mouth?
During the holidays, it is easy to slip into bad habits. Rushed, hectic schedules filled with family and friends, parties, shopping, and work can lead to a disregard of the importance of dental health. Not only is brushing and flossing pushed to the side, but the stress can lead to clenching and grinding. This year, Dakota Dental is taking a moment in this dental care blog to remind patients to watch their oral health during the holidays.
The first step to avoiding dental health issues is to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Dakota Dental suggests brushing at least twice a day and flossing once a day. That may mean taking a travel-size toothbrush and toothpaste in the car, in a pocket, or in a purse to use when away from home. However, in addition to keeping tooth decay at bay, brushing after meals and snacks will keep breath kissably fresh just in case you find yourself under the mistletoe.
Why is it important to know how to clean your teeth at holiday parties? Because sugary foods and alcoholic beverages encourage bacteria to thrive in your mouth, and this bacteria creates acid as a byproduct. This acid can eat away at your tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay, bad breath, cavities, and gingivitis. And these lead to a sooner-than-expected visit to your family dentist at Dakota Dental.
This year, keep oral health problems away by giving yourself the gift of a happy mouth. And be sure to schedule your preventive maintenance and dental checkup at Dakota Dental while you are thinking about the importance of dental health!