Stafford Oral Surgery & Specialists is Stafford, Virginia’s premier dental practice for oral health care needs. Our team of dedicated dental professionals invites you to experience our excellence in dental care service. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we want to make sure that you and your family maintain the best oral hygiene possible. Here are a few key oral care tips to keep in mind as you get ready for holiday dinners and parties alike.

Flossing is Still a Priority

Even when it isn’t the holiday season, it can be easy to forget just how important flossing is to maintaining a healthy and beautiful smile. Flossing is essential to gum and tooth health for both children and adults. However, many people regularly neglect a regular flossing schedule, even outside of the holiday season. There are many benefits to regular flossing that should not be overlooked.

For one, it can be difficult to get rid of irritating and persistent food debris from your teeth. Of course, using a toothbrush daily is critical for good oral hygiene. But a toothbrush alone isn’t enough to keep your gums and teeth in the best shape possible. Flossing can help remove food debris and even reduce plaque that has built up over time. To top it off, flossing can help you get rid of unwanted bad breath. Don’t drive away family and friends over the holidays because you haven’t remembered to floss enough.

Source: Ask the doctor: Do I really need to floss every day? – Harvard Health

Keep an Eye on the Alcohol

Wine is a popular mainstay on the holiday dinner table. But it can be easy to overindulge on alcohol like red wine, especially around family and good friends. Too much red wine and other darker alcohols can lead to stained teeth if you aren’t careful. If wine is your seasonal alcoholic beverage of choice, consider instead drinking a white wine. Or, try pairing your red wine with different foods to limit staining to your teeth.

Other alcoholic beverages including some popular mixed drinks contain a great deal of sugar and other teeth-damaging additives. If that wasn’t bad enough, alcohol often leads to a dry mouth, which can be embarrassing if you’re in the middle of a conversation with family or friends. If you plan on drinking alcohol during holiday dinner, consider lower-sugar options to keep your oral hygiene in check.

Time to Switch Out your Toothbrush

From December until March or April, the cold and flu run rampant. You can avoid seasonal sniffles and other unpleasantries by taking a few simple precautions. For one, make sure that only you are using. Sharing toothbrushes, particularly around the holiday times, puts you at risk of sharing unwanted microscopic bacteria. If you’re having trouble keeping yours or a significant other’s toothbrush separate, considering facing the bristles of your toothbrush away from the other’s. And whether you’ve already come down with a cold, it’s a good idea to swap out your toothbrush in any case about every three months. Replacing your toothbrush on a regular basis is a good idea for several reasons. Eventually your toothbrush becomes less effective the more its bristles become worn out. Replacing your toothbrush ensures that your bristles are free from bacteria and working as effectively as possible.

Get Advice for Sensitive Teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, getting them looked at by a team of dental professionals can be beneficial for you before you indulge in holiday season sweets and treats. Sensitive teeth could be related to a weakening of your tooth enamel. As your nerve ends become exposed, pain can set in. It’s best to avoid acidic foods and drinks if you suffer from sensitive teeth. Sodas, alcohol, sugar, and candy can all cause moderate to severe pain. Hot or cold foods and drinks could also lead to pain that is related to sensitive teeth. Speak to your dentist about treatment options and the best toothpaste/toothbrush for your dental care needs in time for the holidays.

Quit Smoking for Good

It’s always a good time to stop smoking tobacco products. Tobacco increases the risk of developing oral cancer and gum disease. The holiday season can prove especially challenging for current smokers and added pressure during holiday parties and gatherings can make tobacco use even more appealing to smokers. What’s worse, even diligent tooth brushers and flossers will struggle to maintain healthy gums and overall oral hygiene when they decide to smoke. Luckily, quitting smoking comes with a whole range of benefits, including a reduced risk for many types of cancer, digestive problems and complications, and heart disease.

Book an Appointment with Stafford Oral Surgery

Stafford Oral Surgery is located just off Garrisonville Road and provides our clients with oral surgery focusing on facial, jaw and dental treatments. We primarily serve patients living in or around Stafford, VA area. Our team of dedicated surgical associates and professionals offers you to experience our friendly and efficient office environment. You can expect a consistently excellent level of care from our team, and can choose from services ranging from extractions and dental implants to facial trauma surgery and bone grafting. Our compassionate and experienced surgical professionals are happy to provide you with the oral surgical care you need the most. 

The team at the Stafford Oral Surgery & Specialists office and our local dentists in stafford, va very much look forward to providing you with your next oral surgery experience.