10 easy tips to keep your mouth healthy over the holidays

It's easy for oral hygiene to slip over the holidays when you're socializing and having a good time with friends and family. However, when it comes to your mouth, taking good care of yourself should always be at the top of your list! It's important that you maintain your daily oral health routine during the holidays.

Here are 10 easy tips to keep your smile in tiptop shape this season: 1. Maintain your daily oral health care routine! It goes without saying that during the holiday season our daily routines are often forgotten. Try to maintain your daily oral health care routine by brushing for 2 minutes after meals and flossing daily. Remember also to clean your tongue which can harbour bacteria and cause bad breath! 2. Don’t use your teeth as tools! The holidays come with lots of temptations to use your teeth as tools. Don't use your teeth to open presents, cut scotch tape or do anything other than eating! Using your teeth as tools may cause you to break or chip your teeth! 3. Avoid grazing! Snacking all day puts your teeth at risk of decay. Instead of keeping snacks around that are tempting to nibble on all day, try to keep food out of sight and limit eating to mealtime only. 4. Avoid hard candies and nuts! These are readily available over the holidays. If you bite wrong you may end up breaking a tooth or filling, and you really want to avoid having a dental emergency over the holidays. 5. Skip the sugary desserts! Skip the sugary desserts and instead fill up on fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth. Your teeth and waistline will thank you for that - think about how much healthier you will feel! 6. Limit alcohol! The holiday season is a time of celebration, and many people enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages to celebrate. However, too much alcohol can dry out your mouth and make your teeth more susceptible to cavities. 7. Eat fresh fruit or raw vegetables as snacks! If you're looking for a quick snack, consider fruit or raw vegetables. They are good for your overall health and they encourage saliva production, which helps protect against tooth decay. 8. Go for the cheese! Cheese is actually a great way to improve oral health by strengthening the enamel that protects your teeth from acid attacks, as well as helping to neutralize any acid in the mouth (the main cause of tooth decay). 9. Drink lots of water! Drink lots of water between meals to help keep the mouth moist, rinse off food debris, clear the mouth of bacteria and neutralize acids that cause cavities. 10. Take a mini mouthwash! Pack a mini bottle of mouthwash to rinse away food particles from your teeth, and freshen up your breath after eating or snacking. Your smile will thank you! If you follow these tips, your teeth will be happy and healthy and you'll also have a bright smile to show it! Have a safe and joyous holiday season!