Protecting Your Dental Work This Thanksgiving in Riverside: What You Need to Know

Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy delicious meals with family and friends, but it’s also a time to pay special attention to your dental health. Protecting your dental work is essential with all the holiday treats and indulgent foods. Whether you have fillings, crowns, veneers, or implants, understanding how to care for your dental work during the holiday season will keep your smile bright and healthy. This blog will walk you through essential tips to safeguard dental work while enjoying the festivities.

Be Careful With Hard and Sticky Foods

A Thanksgiving meal often features crunchy snacks, hard candies, and sticky treats. These can be tough on dental work, especially if you have fillings or crowns. Hard foods can crack or chip your dental work, while sticky foods can get stuck in between and cause damage or decay.

Tips to avoid damage:

• Cut hard foods into smaller pieces.
• Avoid chewing on bones, nuts, or hard candy.
• Be cautious with sticky foods like caramel, taffy, or gum.

Watch Out for Teeth Grinding

The holiday season can be stressful, leading to teeth grinding (bruxism), which can damage dental work over time. If you’re prone to grinding your teeth, it’s essential to be mindful during the holiday season, especially during tense moments.

How to prevent grinding:

• Consider wearing a mouthguard at night.
• Take breaks from stressful conversations or situations to relax.
• Practice stress-relief techniques such as deep breathing or stretching.

Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks

Dentists in Riverside believe sugary foods and drinks can significantly affect your dental work, especially when consumed excessively. Sugar fuels harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to tooth decay and even affecting the bonding of dental work. During Thanksgiving, indulging in pies, cakes, and sugary beverages is easy, so moderation is key.

Healthy alternatives:

• Opt for sugar-free drinks like sparkling water or iced tea.
• Snack on healthier options like veggies or nuts.
• Limit sugary desserts to a small serving.

Don’t Skip Your Oral Hygiene Routine

The holiday season often brings hectic schedules, but maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine is critical for protecting your dental work. Brushing and flossing after every meal can help prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to decay or gum disease.

Make time for your routine:

• Brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily to remove debris from between your teeth and dental work.
• Consider using an antimicrobial mouthwash to reduce bacteria.

Be Cautious With Alcohol Consumption

While alcohol is a common feature of Thanksgiving celebrations, it can be detrimental to your dental health, particularly with dental work. Alcohol can dry out your mouth, reducing saliva, which naturally helps protect your teeth. It can also contribute to staining, particularly with dental veneers or crowns.

Smart drinking habits:

• Stay hydrated by drinking water alongside alcoholic beverages.
• Avoid sugary cocktails or wine, which can stain your dental work.
• If you drink wine, rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce staining.

Protect Your Dental Implants

If you’ve had dental implants placed, keeping them in optimal condition during Thanksgiving is essential. While implants are durable, they still require attention, especially with the extra stress from holiday meals. Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles, which can harm both your natural teeth and implants.

Caring for implants:

• Be cautious with tough foods like raw vegetables or hard nuts.
• Clean around the implant area gently to avoid irritation.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damaging the implant.

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

After the holidays, it’s wise to visit your Riverside dentist for a check-up. This ensures your dental work is still intact and functioning properly. If any issues arise, such as a loose crown or discomfort, it’s better to address them sooner rather than later.

Why regular visits matter:

• Dentists can identify potential issues before they become severe.
• Regular check-ups maintain the longevity of your dental work.
• Preventive care can save you from costly repairs down the line.

Thanksgiving is all about indulging in good food, but protecting your dental work should remain a priority. Following these simple tips, you can enjoy a stress-free holiday season with your smile intact. If you have concerns about your dental work or need advice on protecting it during the holidays, don’t hesitate to contact your Riverside dentist. Make sure your dental health remains a priority this holiday season.