Chocolate. Gummies. Cakes. Cookies. Pies.

Sweets are everywhere this time of year, and it can be tough to resist all those goodies. Who can say no to a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sand tart or a cocoa-inspired ooey, gooey creation? Even your favorite periodontist in Monroe, CT and his team indulge this time of the year!

How do we keep our teeth and gums healthy and free from problems like gum disease? It’s simple: We plan ahead.

Strategize Before Hitting the Sweet Stuff

It’s common knowledge that the more we deny ourselves the opportunity to try sweets, the more likely we are to feel deprived, and then eat them in bigger amounts later. Instead of holding yourself back all the time, it’s fine to taste test sugary treats at school, home, the office and on-the-go.

The secret to simultaneously staying healthy from a dental perspective? Be prepared!

Here are five great ways to ensure that you can have your cake, and dazzling teeth and gums, too:

• Bring dental products with you when you travel. Have a toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste and/or mouthwash in your purse, satchel, briefcase or backpack. After every snack or meal, head to the nearest bathroom for a two-minute brush-up. Find yourself without these items? At least rinse and swish your mouth with water. This helps reduce the time that sugars sit on your teeth and soft tissues.
• Stick to your normal dental routine. Holidays are very busy times of the year, but that shouldn’t be a reason to completely throw your dental routine out the window! Make sure you’re brushing and flossing when you wake up and before bed. This will help you stay on track. If you have gum disease or another health-related dental issue, make sure you stick with any extra precautionary treatments as directed by your periodontist.
• Practice the art of chewing sugarless gum. Sugarless gum can be a huge friend to you during this busy season. Not only does it keep your mouth in motion, stopping you from reaching for sugar all the time, but it promotes the production of saliva. Saliva is a natural help when trying to reduce the sugars in your mouth and flush them out before they lead to decay, cavities and enamel erosion.
• Be alert to potential dental problems and get them fixed. Notice that you’re particularly sensitive to sugar this year? Do your teeth ache when you eat your grandmother’s famous chocolate chip cookies? These are signs you need to call your dental provider immediately. Waiting until after the holidays may not be the best solution. You deserve fast action to protect your mouth.
• Stay extra vigilant with kids’ teeth. Kids tend to be a little lax in their dental behaviors. Don’t let their tooth and gum health fall by the wayside just because they’re busy with school celebrations, neighborhood parties and family excursions. Keep extra tooth products on hand for them, and remind them frequently about the benefits of proper dental hygiene.

Have Questions? Call Us Now!

Have other concerns or need to make an appointment? Dr. Amato and his team are working diligently during the holidays to keep our patients healthy year-round! Call us for an appointment right away and we’ll do our best to get you on the calendar as soon as we can.