Don’t Neglect Your Smile During the Holidays

It can be tempting to head to bed without brushing when you are tired. But it is very important to maintain a healthy smile, even during the hectic holiday season. Skipping your routine is a big mistake that can lead to many problems down the line. Take a few minutes to brush and floss, and your mouth will look and feel great all year long.

Brushing

Here is a quick review of the most effective way to brush and floss your teeth – something you need to do at least twice a day every day.

1. Place the brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums. Clean your teeth starting at the gum line with small circular motions.
2. Gently brush both sides and the top of each tooth. Don’t scrub too hard or you will damage your gums and tooth enamel.
3. Clean the insides of your front teeth with the tip of your toothbrush.
4. Brush your tongue to remove bacteria.

Although a manual toothbrush will get the job done with the right technique, the holidays are a great time of year to purchase a new electric toothbrush as a gift to yourself or someone you care about. Consider one of the rotation-oscillation toothbrushes that move in circles as well as back and forth for a thorough cleaning. Look for a toothbrush with a timer so that you keep brushing for at least two minutes. Whether using a manual or electric toothbrush, soft bristles will protect you from scrubbing too hard.

Flossing

The reason why it is so important to floss is that it removes plaque from between your teeth and narrow areas that are difficult to reach with a toothbrush. Cleaning under the gum line will help you keep periodontal disease at bay too. Establish a flossing pattern to use every time you floss so that you don’t miss an area by mistake.

1. Take a piece of dental floss 12-18 inches long, and wrap it around your middle fingers until your hands are 2-3 inches from each other.
2. Work the floss between two teeth at a time, curving it in a C or U shape and sliding it below the gum line.
3. Gently slide the floss up and down to remove particles and debris. Be sure to include your back teeth.

If you find it too challenging to position the floss, consider a pre-threaded floss pick that is easier to maneuver. They come in a variety of colors and make a great stocking stuffer, especially for children just learning how to floss on their own.

Although the holiday season is a busy time of year, don’t neglect your oral health, especially if you have young children. If they notice that you aren’t keeping up with your own dental care, they will be more likely to try and skip it themselves. Good habits begin early so be a good role model, even when you are tired. And as a bonus, your entire family can smile beautifully in all of your holiday photos.