With this month’s to-do lists filled with shopping, baking, and more, it’s easy to neglect taking care of your teeth. Yet it’s especially important at this time of the year. Luckily, a few tips can go a long way in having healthy teeth at the holidays – or any time of the year.

Once your calendar becomes a bit less crowded, remember to schedule a dental exam and cleaning if you need one. Call 586-210-6828 today for an appointment in our Clinton Township, MI office. In the meantime, do your best to follow our advice:

  • Choose Chocolate, Not Candy Canes – A candy cane is an example of a sticky, sugary treat that is best to avoid. Sticky candy clings stubbornly to teeth and is difficult to remove. Stick to using candy canes to trim the tree and choose chocolate candy instead. It melts easily, so it rinses away and is less likely to cause cavities.
  • Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools – We know, you want to get your gifts open ASAP, but don’t use your teeth. Tooth enamel is tough, but we’ve seen a lot of dental damage caused by ripping off a price tag or tearing into a package. Don’t use your teeth to crack open nutshells either; that is what a nutcracker is for. Also avoiding crunching down onto ice or popcorn kernels.
  • Take Good Oral Hygiene on the Road – If travel is on your holiday agenda, keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in a carry-on bag or other convenient spot. That way you can still take care of your teeth if you experience a delay or similar issue. Try to stick to your usual brushing and flossing schedule. Worst case scenario, if you can’t brush, chew sugarless gum to get your saliva flowing. Choose gum with xylitol, which has natural cavity-fighting properties.
  • Choose Wisely at Holiday Meals – Avoid excess sugar when you can. Remove the marshmallow topping from sweet potatoes, and don’t add any sugar to your tea or coffee. Opt for pie without meringue. Pumpkin is an especially good choice because it has less sugar than most other kinds.
  • Make Water Your Beverage of Choice – The best beverage for your teeth – and the rest of you too – is water. Drink plenty of it, to help wash away sugars and other harmful substances. If you’re unable to brush for an extended period, at least rinse your mouth out with water.

If you need to make an appointment at Dobry Dental, call 586-210-6828 now.