The holidays are a time of love, family, good cheer, and lots of food. Not just any food, either – the holidays are known for the influx of sweets, such as fudge, cookies, and pies. During the holiday season it is more important than ever to engage in good dental care, since you will likely be consuming lots of sugary treats. Proper brushing and flossing are vital in order to prevent tooth decay, and if you have not had a cleaning in a while, now would be a good time to schedule an appointment with your Orange County dentist.
To take proper care of your teeth at home, brushing, flossing, and rinsing are imperative. You will want to brush at least two minutes, twice a day, to ensure that all the sugar and debris from your holiday snacks have been removed from your teeth. Flossing will remove any debris from between your teeth and gums, protecting you from tooth decay. In addition to brushing and flossing, rinsing with mouth rinses such as ACT and Biotene can protect tooth enamel with their preventative ingredients.
Since plaque containing bacteria that feeds off of sugar is always forming on your teeth, it’s important to get regular cleanings in addition to your preventative home care routine. A trip to your Orange County dentist will entail a hygienist measuring your gum pockets and checking for gum disease, before commencing with a cleansing routine that removes plaque and tartar. Your cleaning appointment will wrap up with your hygienist polishing your teeth, followed by a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Schneider.
Good dental hygiene habits are important all year long, but especially so during the holiday season when you are prone to consuming more sugary snacks than usual. By brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly, and scheduling an appointment for a cleaning, you will be doing your mouth – and yourself – a favor.