The holidays give us plenty of reasons to smile. There are the family gatherings, the huge feasts, the mouthwatering desserts, the gift exchanges, and the cherished traditions. Hopefully, you will have endless opportunities to show off your smile. But is your smile ready for the holiday season?
The dental professionals at Bristol Dental Clinic are here to help. We offer various services and treatments to get your smile photo-ready for the holidays.
1. Schedule a Professional Cleaning with a Mississauga Dentist
The first step in preparing your smile for the holidays is to come in for a professional cleaning and polishing (along with your regular checkup). During your appointment, your dentist removes any plaque and tartar built up in the six months since your last visit.
They also remove light staining with thorough polishing, leaving your smile brighter and healthier.
2. Brighten Your Smile with a Teeth Whitening Treatment
Some stains, however, cannot be removed with polishing alone. Nor are they entirely avoidable to begin with! Everyone’s teeth come into contact with substances that cause staining and discolouration, often daily.
Coffee, tea, wine, dark-coloured foods, and even tomatoes can all cause smiles to dull and yellow. Ageing can also take a toll on the brightness of your smile.
Fortunately, there’s something you can do (other than quitting coffee permanently).
Professional teeth whitening treatments are easy, effective, and quick.
Whereas over-the-counter products rarely deliver the desired level of brightening (and can contain harmful chemicals), the teeth whitening procedures offered by your dentist will transform your smile in time for all those holiday photos.
Contact Bristol Dental to learn more!
3. Inquire about Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth whitening is just one aspect of cosmetic dentistry. Various procedures and treatments can help give you a smile you love to show off. Cosmetic dentistry addresses multiple dental issues, such as discolouration, chips, cracks, irregular shapes and sizing, and more.
4. Practice Good Oral Hygiene Throughout the Holidays
Beyond visiting the oral health experts at Bristol Dental, the most essential thing you can do for your smile is take care of it at home. You must continue to follow your oral health care regime throughout the holidays, no matter how busy you find yourself.
After all, tooth decay and gum disease don’t care what time of year it is. By brushing twice daily, flossing once daily, and using mouthwash, you can ensure your smile is perfect before, during, and after the holiday season.
5. Assemble a Dental Travel Kit
For many Canadians, travel is part of the holidays. It’s extremely common to be away from home, with all its structure and routines, for several days at least.
Hopefully, you always plan to bring a toothbrush for these longer trips! Yet, how often do you think of grabbing the floss when leaving for a big family dinner?
Bringing a dental travel kit to all your holiday functions is a great way to ensure you skip your routine, no matter where you are. Include a travel-sized mouthwash, floss, and soft-bristled toothbrush.
6. Limit Your Consumption of Staining Drinks
As we mentioned, certain beverages gradually discolour your teeth. Coffee, tea, and red wine are the most common culprits. You’re unlikely to give these up entirely.
However, limiting your consumption can help keep your smile brighter for longer. Alternatively, try sipping water after every sip of coffee or wine. It helps wash away the staining chemicals that stick to your teeth.
7. Be Mindful of Your Sugar Intake
The holidays arrive practically dusted in sugar. Sweet treats, from candy canes to cookies, are abundant in most Mississauga households. However, by now, everyone knows that overindulging your sweet tooth is bad for your health.
A skyrocketing sugar intake can lead to the development of cavities, among other things. Consequently, try to enjoy sweets in moderation, preferably at mealtime when saliva production is high. Saliva helps wash away the tooth decay-promoting sugars (rinsing with water also helps).
8. Resist the Urge to Snack
Snacking is not good for your oral health. Frequent grazing can lead to tooth decay and a post-holiday cavity. Remember, when you’re eating constantly, so is the bacteria in your mouth.
The steady influx of food means that the bacteria have neverending fuel to consume. It turns the mouth into a permanently acidic environment, which increases the chance of tooth decay.
9. Balance Cookies with Fruits and Veggies
A healthy, balanced diet is also good for your smile. When you consume various fruits and veggies, you take in the minerals and vitamins required for a strong, healthy, and bright smile.
We know the temptations are neverending during the holidays. However, try to fill your plate with more fruits and vegetables than cookies!
10. Dark Chocolate is Best
All sweet things are not created equal. Out of all the holiday indulgences, dark chocolate is best for oral health. Dark chocolate contains as much as 60% less sugar than milk or white chocolate.
Chocolatholics can take comfort in knowing they don’t have to give up their favourite treat after all!
11. Don’t Use Your Teeth like Scissors
Our last piece of advice is important: do not use your teeth like scissors! Your teeth are fantastic devices. However, they are not actual tools. You should only use your teeth to smile, laugh, speak, and chew your food.
As strong as your teeth may be, they are not strong enough to open packages or presents without serious risk. You will likely crack a tooth and need to visit an emergency dentist.
Similarly, don’t try to shell nuts with your teeth. Grab the nutcracker from the drawer instead.
Book Your Holiday Checkup at Bristol Dental in Mississauga
Get your smile ready for the holidays with Bristol Dental Clinic in Mississauga. Our dentists, clinicians, and staff look forward to seeing you at your upcoming holiday checkup.
Contact us today to book a professional cleaning and examination or to discuss a cosmetic procedure.
To book an appointment in Mississauga, call Bristol Dental Clinic at 866-673-2109 or contact us here.
