Six simple dental care tips for the holidays
If you have school-age children, the 10 months from the start of February through November can seem quite hectic. Even if you’re lucky enough to have kids that are relatively easy to coordinate, there’s a lot of racing from one thing to the next.
It’s understandable if you and your family want to cut back on the commitments for the bulk of December and January – apart from the all-important festivities, of course.
Hopefully, you do get some valuable “downtime” to refresh and recharge your energy and, ideally, some nice weather to encourage your kids to get outside, as well.
However, we’d like to suggest that this month and next might just offer an excellent opportunity to book a dental appointment, whether that’s a six-monthly checkup or to let us have a look at something that you’ve been aware of but that hasn’t warranted an urgent visit.
Particularly if you have more than one child, this time of year might make it more convenient to book the whole family in.
*Please note that our clinic will be closed from 1pm on Saturday 23rd December 2023 and we’ll be back on Monday 8th January 2024.
Six simple dental care tips for the holidays
We have to accept that the festive season does tend to see more people indulging in more sweet foods, lollies, and sugary drinks.
So here are some tips for managing your dental care – and your family’s – over the holidays.
- Everything in moderation
We don’t think abstinence – avoiding sweet things completely – is possible, but we do advocate moderation. Try to limit the intake of sweets, sugary drinks, and sugar-laden food – perhaps give your kids a fixed number of candy canes, soft drinks, and so on, so that they know the supply isn’t unlimited.
- Avoid grazing
It’s better to eat a complete meal, even if that takes an extended period on some days, than to spend the whole day snacking at regular intervals. When you eat, your body produces an acid that aids in the breakdown of food, which is why grazing is not great for your teeth and gums.
- Increase your water intake
Not only is water extremely efficient at washing away food debris and bacteria, it’s also the most effective form of hydration. Hydrating with water boosts your immune system, keeps your skin looking its best, and helps keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Be careful with ‘dangerous’ foods
Be conscious that very sticky or hard foods can break teeth, fillings, crowns, or dentures and take a little extra care when you are indulging in something that perhaps isn’t part of your regular diet.
If you’re eating hard lollies, try to let the sweets dissolve in your mouth instead of crunching them repeatedly while they’re at their hardest.
- Carry dental floss with you
Keep some dental floss in your bag or pocket so you can pop into a bathroom for a quick floss after a meal when you’re away from home. You’ll also be prepared if you have something stuck in your teeth when you’re trying to socialise at the work Christmas party.
- Maintain your regular oral care regimen
Because we might be outside our usual routine of life while on holiday (and attending parties), it can be easy to skip brushing and flossing, especially if you come home late and tired. Please don’t.
If you are out at a gathering and don’t have your toothbrush, swish with water and chew sugar-free gum. And remember that it’s best to wait about 30 minutes after a meal before brushing so that you don’t brush your natural acids around to cause tooth erosion.
A check-up and a good clean and it’s Happy New Year!
No matter how 2023 has been for you, who doesn’t want to head into 2024 with a nice smile?
Having a bit of a break is a good start because a healthy mind and body are the foundation of a happy demeanour. Prioritise sleep, healthy eating, staying active, and making time to connect with yourself and others to build that smile from the inside out.
Part of looking after your overall health is not overindulging, so try not to spend all day nibbling on treats or leftovers, just because you can. Our bodies, including our mouths, need time to digest as well as rebuild naturally, so take a walk, strike up a conversation, or read a book in between meals.
Book in for a check-up and clean at Middleborough Dental Care, because you might enjoy the festive season even more knowing your teeth are in peak condition!
As an extra incentive, if you do visit us in December and January you can collect our special 2024 magnetic calendar to put on the fridge.
Just use our simple online appointment booking interface or call 9808 0207 if you would like to talk to someone first.
We’d love to get you in before we close for the Christmas and New Year break on December 23rd.
But, if you can’t make it before Christmas, we’ll be back at work from Monday, January 8th, so get the kids checked before they go back to school.
If you have any questions during the break, please email us at [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the MDC team