Holiday food and drink is delicious and great to have when it starts to cold, but it can wreak havoc on the body. Besides causing you to gain five pounds or become bloated, it can also discolor your teeth and cause them to decay. Nobody wants to show up at a holiday party with unwanted stains or pockets. With the dentist’s office busy or closed for the holidays, you might seem out of luck. However, there are a couple of tips and tricks you can follow to get a healthy, gleaming smile before a big Christmas party or similar work event.
What is the “perfect holiday smile?”
The holidays can be great fun, with numerous parties, chances for gift-giving, and – of course – fun photos. Whether they are with your friends or family, pictures of great events like ugly sweater contests, costume contests, office parties, and gift exchanges are going to crop up. To help others share in the fun, most people even post on social media!
However, if you have a smile that is stained, discolored, or even cracked from using your jaws as a nutcracker, then your holiday parties will be less holly and more horrid.
For many, the perfect holiday smile is bright, white, gleaming, and clean. To prepare for any events in advance, remember to brush and floss on a regular basis. Consider packing whitening gum in your purse or wallet, and chew some if you consume something staining like red wine. You can also rinse your mouth before pictures are taken to eliminate the worst of the build-up.
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How to get healthy teeth during the holidays
A healthy smile is a happy one. Many of the characteristics which stand out around the holidays – stains, discoloration, and pockets of decay – are caused by poor oral hygiene and dental health. To help eliminate them, it is important to brush and floss twice a day. To boost your hygiene at home, consider rinsing with a mouthwash on a regular basis.
These basic measures keep your teeth healthy throughout the holidays and can make professional dental treatments more effective when the office opens up again. Once it does, there are a couple of quick cosmetic treatments designed to get you a holly jolly smile in time for the big party.
Procedures for getting the perfect smile (and inner confidence!)
Cleaning
Perhaps the most important treatment is a professional cleaning. While you should brush and floss your teeth at home, many people miss pockets of plaque and food particles that cause decay. A dentist can eliminate build-up, leaving you with brighter, cleaner teeth.
At the same time, it is important to be regular with your appointments and use an age-appropriate fluoridated toothpaste or mouthwash on a daily basis.
Teeth Whitening
The most common cosmetic treatment in the country is teeth whitening. During this procedure, a dentist applies a peroxide substance to the surface of your teeth. The peroxide breaks down into oxygen, which lifts stains from your teeth. Your smile can become up to eight shades lighter with a single treatment.
Dental Bonding
Many people have chips, cracks, or areas of permanent discoloration on their teeth. Through dental bonding, a dentist applies a resin and shapes it to cover the area. This eliminates the imperfection in a single appointment.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells for the enamel of your teeth. They cover the surface and replace it with a brand new one. You can customize your veneers to be whiter, straighter, or more even than your natural smile. Veneers can last for up to 20 years and function as a long-term investment for a happier, healthier smile.
Do you have to get your smile ready for a big office event or before a business trip in a hurry? Trust only Dawson Dental. Our mature advice will ensure the best results for you, without compromising on your comfort and health.