The holidays have become infamous for excessive food and alcohol consumption. With all the sugary treats on the table, Thanksgiving can be a nightmare for your teeth. The following article will provide tips and advice from the experts at Ricci Orthodontics on maintaining good oral hygiene during and after the holiday season.
Oral Health at Thanksgiving
During Thanksgiving, many people allow themselves sugary foods more often and in larger amounts. It’s best to avoid eating lots of sugary or acidic foods, even if it is Thanksgiving, but maintaining an excellent dental hygiene routine is also crucial. Some of the things you can do to improve your oral health and avoid cavities include:
- Twice daily brushing with an electric toothbrush
- Flossing after every meal
- Using mouthwash regularly
- Seeing your dentist at least twice a year for check-ups
- Get any issues such as a chip, cavity, or pain treated quickly
Another thing that can damage your teeth over Thanksgiving is alcohol. Alcohol causes your body to dehydrate, meaning your mouth is dryer. The bacteria that damage teeth and cause gum disease thrive in a dry mouth, so keeping hydrated is essential to good oral health. Alcoholic drinks are often high in sugar and acid, which are the leading causes of tooth decay.
Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and vinegar, are incredibly corrosive to teeth. Some drinks, such as black coffee, are also acidic. To rebalance the pH levels in your mouth after eating something acidic, try drinking water or milk. You can also follow an acidic meal with a small cube of cheese.
Healthy Teeth After Thanksgiving
If you know you’ve overindulged over the holidays, it’s worth paying your dentist a visit to assess the damage. To maintain healthy teeth after Thanksgiving, set up an efficient dental hygiene regime. Your dentist can advise on this.
A good oral hygiene routine consists of twice-daily brushing, flossing after every meal, and rinsing with mouthwash. Dentists recommend an electric toothbrush with a rounded head, and there are plenty of videos available that teach the best techniques.
It would be best if you also brush your tongue. Some toothbrushes have ridges on the back, but you can also purchase tongue brushes or scrapers.
Next time you’re at the dentist, ask them which products they recommend. Many dentists even sell their favorite products at their offices so that you can buy them immediately. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist what they prefer to use — they will be only too happy to help.
Ricci Orthodontics
At Ricci Orthodontics, we specialize in orthodontic treatment services. The field of orthodontics focuses on realigning teeth and jaws and takes many years of study to master. Your orthodontist was a dentist before they specialized, so you can rest assured that they have an excellent understanding of dental health and hygiene.
Some of the orthodontics treatments we offer include:
- Dental braces for all ages
- InvisalignTM treatments and braces
- Retainers for all ages
- TruDenta for head and neck pain
We offer oral cancer screening at every appointment, and your friendly orthodontist is first in line to catch oral cancer early. Regular visits to the dentist are crucial to protect against oral cancer and can even save your life.
Ricci Orthodontics is based in Johns Creek, GA. We pride ourselves on our low average waiting times and run specialist software to help us keep track of your waiting time. Our current average wait is just two minutes!
Don’t let your oral health suffer over Thanksgiving; call Ricci Orthodontics at [Direct] or contact us online.
Tags: oral care, oral health, thanksgiving oral care
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