The holidays are finally upon us! November and December are two of the most festive months of the year, and the Mill Creek Dental team wants to ensure you enjoy them and have peace of mind regarding the health of your smile. It is commonly known that many staple holiday foods can stain the enamel if consumed carelessly. However, there are ways to enjoy these foods and maintain your oral health. We are here to share which foods and drinks to watch out for and tips for maximizing your time celebrating while keeping your smile shining.
Many Thanksgiving food and beverage items can stain your teeth, including coffee, red wine, cranberry sauce, and fruit pies. Many Thanksgiving food and beverage items can stain your teeth, including coffee, red wine, cranberry sauce, and fruit pies. While delicious, the dark colors of these foods and drinks bring with them the chance of staining your teeth. There are a few simple ways you can indulge while still preserving your smile:
- Brush your teeth, or, if not possible, rinse your mouth soon after eating or drinking one of these items. This will wash any residue off your teeth and lessen the chances of yellowing or spotting. If this becomes a habit, your teeth will be grateful!
- Swap out your favorite fruit pies for equally-festive alternatives. While everyone loves a tasty cherry or blueberry pie, the fruit’s acidity can damage tooth enamel and leave stains. Opt for a pumpkin or chocolate pie. While still sugary, these pies will not have the same effect on your enamel.
- Drink dark-colored beverages over a short time instead of prolonged sipping. This will minimize the time your teeth are exposed to the drink. Also, sipping water with one of these beverages will aid in keeping your teeth clean.
Preventing yellowing and staining is one thing, but reversing it is entirely another. Did you know Mill Creek Dental offers take-home teeth whitening kits? If you want to prepare your smile for holiday photos and gatherings, now is the perfect time to treat yourself! Our take-home teeth whitening kit consists of whitening strips that you will apply to your teeth once daily for five days. You must thoroughly brush your teeth before and after using the whitening strips. While there are many variations of whitening strips available at your local drugstore, ours will maximize the whitening process and give you long-lasting results. Many patients have concerns about sensitivity and the impact on the gums caused by teeth whitening treatments. These whitening options will leave little to no effect on the gums, and the process used will minimize any sensitivity.
Teeth whitening is the quickest, most effective way to rid your smile of stains and make it shades brighter. Are you interested in learning more or preparing your smile for the holidays with one of our whitening options? Call Mill Creek Dental today at (903) 567-2207.
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