The Christmas holidays can affect our teeth if we don’t take them into account. While you enjoy a few days of vacation for Christmas, your mouth works more than normal.
And not only that: we also tend to give it less care than usual.
The excesses of these dates and changes in routine can reduce our oral hygiene and, as a consequence, bring us some unwanted Christmas gifts, such as cavities or gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis).
For this reason, from Clínica Cervera we will give you 5 basic tips so that Christmas doesn’t cost you a smile:
##NUM##1.
Your teeth are not indestructible.
So be careful when chewing very hard foods, such as seafood or nougat; especially if you have fillings or veneers, as they could fracture or come loose.
Don’t forget to pay tribute to those people who invented the bottle opener, the nutcracker or the seafood tongs.
This way, by the way, your teeth won’t break and your gums won’t get inflamed.
##NUM##2.
Brush your teeth, especially before going to bed.
The meals we eat outside the home during these times should not be an excuse to skip our oral hygiene.
Travel brushes fit perfectly in any bag or pocket and you don’t need to use toothpaste.
Above all, don’t skip brushing your teeth before going to bed since, while we sleep, bacteria have more time to harm us and our mouth is more unprotected as it generates less saliva.
Let bedtime not be an excuse either.
##NUM##3.
Control the sweets.
It’s Christmas, so we won’t forbid you from eating sweets.
But we would advise you not to eat them every day and to avoid them between meals.
Brush your teeth after eating, or at least rinse your mouth well with water to moderate the acidity levels that can lead to cavities.
##NUM##4.
Drink in moderation.
Alcoholic and energy drinks, beer, red fruit infusions, soft drinks, wine (more white than red) and fruit juices (especially citrus) are acidic and, therefore, affect the enamel of our teeth, weakening it and causing sensitivity.
The effect of these drinks on tooth sensitivity is greater if they are combined with each other, are sweetened and are cold.
##NUM##5.
New Year’s resolution: quit smoking.
At this point, we will not reveal to you the harmful consequences of tobacco on your mouth.
Your general health and your pocketbook will also thank you for the effort of this eternal purpose that is in your hands to make a reality.
If you are convinced of the change, ask your doctor for help, who will give you the keys to beating cigarettes.
These tips will help your mouth survive Christmas.
What it reminds us of is that the most important piece of advice is to wear your smile.
It’s a gift that you’ll always get right.