Oral Hygiene Tips for the Holidays from Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants

As the holiday season approaches, everyone at Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants would like to tell you how happy we have been to have served you in 2019, and that we look forward to continuing that service, both for new patients and for old friends, in 2020 and beyond.

We are dedicated to be the dentist that suits your family’s needs and to preserve your beautiful smile and the smile of your family and loved ones.

Holidays, however, sometimes mean eating more stickier, harder, sugary and chewy foods. Because of the threat these foods can represent, you should also ramp up your focus on dental health.

Obviously, you should keep your good dental habits, such as brushing twice daily and flossing once. Also, keep to your preventative dental visits to Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants.

This time of year also brings an increase in dental injuries, and we always to schedule same-day appointments for our patients who suffer dental trauma.

With that in mind, here are a few dental health tips to protect your oral health throughout the holidays and into the new year.

Choose the right drink

Holiday parties come with a collection of delicious drinks that can harm teeth, including alcoholic drinks and sodas. Sodas are full of sugar and have high acid levels.

If you’re a fan of carbonated drinks, reach for fizzy mineral water rather than soda.

If you do drink soda, a straw can help to keep acid and sugar away from your teeth. Red wine can lead to staining and should be avoided.

In general, don’t drink too much alcohol as it dehydrates the body and leads to dry mouth.

Dry mouth keeps saliva from protecting your teeth, and this is particularly dangerous before going to sleep.

Choose the right food

Avoid sticky, chewy, acidic, or sugary foods. That includes candy canes (which are both hard AND sticky!), ice cubes, mint chews, taffies, chestnuts and other holiday treats.

These can be enjoyed, but in moderation and safely. And when you’re done, help your mouth by brushing, rinsing, or using chewing gum to clean your teeth.

Set a time for sweet treats

Rather than completely depriving yourself, set a limited time for favourite treats. For example, eat treats only during or after lunch or dinner.

Studies have proven that you are better able to neutralise plaque acids during and after meals, because of a temporary increase in saliva production.

Let yourself splurge a little and enjoy the delicious seasonal foods.

But, balance those foods and drinks out with crunchy fruits and veggies (carrots are a particularly great choice) that help clean your teeth.

Eat plenty of whole grains and drink plenty of water, which also cleans your teeth. Your mouth and wallet will thank you!

Chew gum – sugar-free cinnamon gum

Chewing gum might not seem the most obvious thing to help keep teeth healthy, but it can have at least two beneficial effects.

First, sugar-free chewing gum actually cleans your teeth. And there is a reason cinnamon gum is the best choice.

Cinnamon gum contains cinnamaldehyde, which gives the gum its spicy flavour.

But cinnamaldehyde also destroys the bacteria that cause cavities, making this gum a positive double-whammy.

Don’t use teeth as tools

It may seem very tempting to use your teeth when other tools aren’t around. Sometimes, you have a piece of plastic you can’t hold onto or a cap that is too tight for your fingers.

Around the holidays, you may find yourself cutting tape or opening presents. But don’t use your teeth in these situations.

Using your teeth can weaken the tooth enamel. With enough weakening, your teeth can crack or chip.

Dental restorations can also be damaged. So, if you’re wrapping or unwrapping a present, be smart, and wait for someone to bring you some scissors.

The same is true for some foods. For example, NEVER open a nutshell with your teeth, that’s what the nutcracker is for.

Enjoy the holidays, but not at the price of oral health!

Quality Dentistry in Norlane

At Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants, we believe everyone deserves the highest quality dentistry, and our goal is to help you receive it.

Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants is a multi-surgery practice in operation for over 30 years, taking care of the varied oral health needs of the Norlane community.

At Norlane Dental Aesthetics and Implants, our focus is on providing patients with exceptional general, orthodontic, and Implant dentistry.

We have a particular focus on implants, orthodontics, and smile rejuvenation using veneers, crowns, and bridges, while also dealing with the unexpected dental emergencies we all dread.

If you would like to learn more about us, please contact us now for a consultation.

Norlane dentist serves the local communities in Geelong, North Geelong, West Geelong, East Geelong, South Geelong, Corio, Lara, North Shore, Highton, Belmont and Little River.

For more information, call us on (03) 5278 2666 or visit us at 21 Princes Highway in Norlane.