Whether it\u2019s for the excitement of Christmas morning, watching Christmas movies with your friends, an extended break from working, or one of many other reasons, the holiday season definitely has a lot of fans. There are those out there, however, who see this as a concerning time of year fraught with danger \u2013 your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s that you say? Teeth aren\u2019t capable of independent thought? Okay, maybe you have a point. But teeth have reason to be concerned when someone isn\u2019t diligent about their oral hygiene regimen. Your dentist in Topeka and Silver Lake<\/a> is here to explain the potential problems and how you can protect your oral health while enjoying holiday foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n When you are traveling, it can mean upheaval to a lot of the consistency in your life, potentially including your oral hygiene habits. It\u2019s easy to forget your toothbrush or miss brushing intervals for some other reason when you\u2019re on vacation, or maybe you stay up too late and head straight to bed without practicing your dental due diligence. Oral hygiene matters no matter where you\u2019re sleeping for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you are munching on leftovers from the big family meal or eating sweets throughout your workday, your teeth and gums would be much better off if you only had a few meals separated by several hours each. This is because your mouth isn\u2019t given a chance to produce enough saliva to neutralize bacteria and clean food debris from your teeth. If you want to avoid a higher risk for cavities, breaking this habit ahead of the holidays is crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and other winter holidays, sugar in its various forms is all around you. Cookies, pie, hard candy, chocolate, cake \u2013 you get the idea. That\u2019s quite the gauntlet for you to navigate with healthy teeth intact. From stuffing to pasta, starch is also an issue, as it has the same effect on your teeth as sweet foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sugar in these items gets broken down by oral bacteria after consumption, which in turn creates plaque acids as a form of waste. This acid sticks to teeth and collects over time, turning into plaque and tartar that cause cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other factors besides what you are eating, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you implement these tips during those times of the year when things stray a bit from your normal routine, it can be crucial in preventing dental issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many reasons to enjoy the holiday season, but it\u2019s important to make it to the New Year with your teeth and gums still in good standing. Be sure to schedule a checkup with your dentist when the holidays wrap up to know for sure that your teeth are ready to tackle 2022!<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Michel Dental<\/a>, our goal is to provide patients with the right dental solutions by inviting them to become active participants in their treatment planning. We focus on oral health education so patients always understand their treatment options and can make informed decisions. Outstanding oral health in Topeka and Silver Lake is the name of the game. Our dentists know all the delicious foods available during the holiday season can be tempting, but when you have a plan and follow through on it your oral health won\u2019t get lost in the shuffle. We\u2019ll be here after the holidays to help you get off to a great start in the New Year with a dental exam and cleaning, just visit our website<\/a> for the contact information at either of our locations.<\/p>\n\n\nTraveling Can Bring a Challenging Change in Routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Beware of Constant Snacking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Careful with Those Tempting Sweet Treats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Following Through on a Plan Can Mean a Win for Your Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n