The holiday season is a time to gather with friends and family and have a great time together. This is also a time of year when we are inundated with foods and drinks high in sugar and starch, which could lead to cavities. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about how to protect teeth during the holiday season and beyond!
The Holidays and Cavities
Often, our favorite holiday dishes are high in sugar and starch, and eating them leaves behind particles that harmful oral bacteria could consume, which increases the risk of plaque and tartar buildup, and eventual cavities. We have a few tips to help. For example, drink plenty of water with your meal to help rinse away these particles. In addition, you should cut back on options high in sugar and starch, and add fresh fruits and veggies to your plate, as these could help scrub away plaque and food particles. When you finish your meal, excuse yourself to go floss, removing the bits of sugar and starch caught between your teeth!
Schedule an Exam and Cleaning
You still have time to make an appointment with our team for a checkup and cleaning, so reach out soon! We can examine your smile and potentially treat any issues we discover before the holidays arrive. In addition, we clean the teeth to remove all plaque and tartar buildup and fight the onset of cavities and periodontal concerns. If you see our team now, you have a chance to use your remaining 2024 dental insurance benefits before they expire at the end of the year. You can also put any remaining health savings account funds to use before they are gone!
Improving Your Oral Hygiene Habits
Along with a visit for a checkup and cleaning, you can protect your smile during the holidays and throughout the year with better at-home oral hygiene habits. For example, make sure you start and end each day by brushing your teeth for two minutes. We recommend a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. You also end to floss every evening, and in general, try to cut back on the sugar in your diet. If you have any questions about how our team will safeguard your smile from cavities, or what you can do on your own, then contact our office today!
Schedule An Appointment for Preventive Dentistry
Our team wants to help you enjoy good oral health and a new year free of cavities, so reach out soon to schedule that last exam and cleaning of 2024. To schedule an appointment with the team at Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO, call our office today at 816-942-7669.