The holidays are quickly approaching and that means an abundance of sweets and treats to go around. It is difficult to say “no” to hot cocoa, homemade gingerbread, or candy canes, so it should come as no surprise that during this time the likelihood of cavities and tooth decay increase. At Family Dental Associates, we want you to enjoy your holidays without worrying about oral health issues and focus on what’s important (hanging out with family and friends). Therefore, we want to provide as much information as possible to our patients, so that you can make informed decisions about your dental health.
We have provided some helpful tips we recommend to follow in order to reduce the risk of damaging your teeth:
- Don’t crack nuts with your teeth: You should never use your teeth to crack open the shells of nuts. The hard surface of most nutshells can cause damage to your teeth and gums through chips and tears.
- Avoid sticky & hard treats: Sticky foods and drinks stay on your teeth, which can increase your chances of getting tooth decay. Hard foods can lead to cracked or chipped teeth, which can be a painful experience.
- Your teeth are not tools for opening gifts: We know that opening presents can be the most exciting part of the holidays; however, using your teeth to open gifts can be damaging. If the damage is severe, you may need to get root canal or a crown.
- Say “no” to nail biting: The holidays can be stressful; however, biting your fingernails is a not a recommended form of relief. This habit is closely linked to sensitive teeth, teeth grinding, and jaw problems.
Schedule An Appointment With Family Dental Associates
We understand that the holidays are a busy time for everyone, so don’t forget to schedule an appointment before or after the start of your festivities. Our qualified Margate, FL dentists strive to provide high quality dental and orthodontic care for patients of all ages. If you have any questions about our services such as Invisalign or early dental care, please feel free to contact us at (954) 973-0990.