Understanding Dental Pain and Bacterial Infections

Posted on: 29 November 2016

It's the most wonderful time of the year—or, at least, it very soon will be—and with the holiday cheer, festivities, sales, and muzak comes the holiday meals and treats as well. But for the dental health–conscious person, this can seem overwhelming when you consider all the opportunities for your teeth to take the brunt of the festive blow and land you with some new cavities for the New Year. So how do you enjoy the holidays without paying for it later with a toothache or two? If you're looking for a few tips to keep your teeth ship shape this season, then here's what you need to know.

Rinse Early and Often

It's a good idea to always have a glass of water on hand, especially if you're enjoying some adult beverages over the holidays—but it's good for your teeth as well. Drinking water (and subtly swishing it around for just a second in your mouth to get all your teeth) helps to rinse away residue and harmful chemicals to your teeth that are especially prevalent in alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, and especially the perennial favorite drink of the holidays, champagne.

Balance Your Carbs

The stuff that tastes the best at the holidays—baked goods, cookies, hard candies, and so forth—is also the stuff that's going to do the most damage to your teeth, especially if you really only consume those carbs and sugars. Instead, try to balance out your sweet treats with a savory one; a handful of carrots earns you a cookie while a few slices of turkey get you a delicious orange roll. It's even better if your savory treats are like apples or celery, whose rough exteriors help to scrub bacteria away from your teeth.

Keep Up the Basics

While these things can help your teeth make it through the holidays without wear and tear, ultimately the best thing you can do is to be consistent in your basic dental care this holiday season. It's really easy to get caught up in the festivities and end up falling into bed without brushing, flossing, or rinsing, but that's a mistake. Not only will you wake up with horrendous breath, but not taking care of your teeth for one night can also give the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth eight or so hours to do its dirty work, heightening your chances of getting a cavity or two. A good dental routine doesn't have to take a lot of time, and your teeth (and your dentist) will thank you for it come January.

Talk to a professional at an organization such as Treasured Smiles Dentistry for more tips.