Don’t forget your smile this holiday season, as you are surrounded by mouth-watering gingerbread confections, eggnog, and savory glazed ham, take some steps to protect your healthy smile. After working hard all year-round to maintain your beautiful smile, you don’t want to undo your work during the holidays. You can celebrate mindfully by implementing these tips:

-Eating sugar with your meal: If you are going to eat sugar, eat it with a meal instead of a stand-alone snack. Why? The longer your teeth are coated in sugar, the more you are feeding the harmful bacteria in the mouth, encouraging plaque. As you eat and drink with your meal can help to keep sugar from sticking to your pearly whites.

-Neutralize the acids on your teeth: Water, even seltzer water can neutralize the harmful acids that erode tooth enamel. This can help as you celebrate. Drinking water or mineral water can also help offset the acids on your teeth.

-Snack on cheese: If you are at a party, snack away on the cheeses to help your teeth. Not only is the protein good for you, but it also neutralizes the acid in the mouth.

-Sugar-free mints: If you can’t brush after snacking, sugar-free mints can freshen your breath and stimulate healthy saliva production which is good for your smile.

At Gorelik Holistic Dentistry in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Julia Gorelik wish you and your loved ones a festive holiday. To schedule your next visit, please call us at 704-553-1627. Treat yourself to a healthy holiday while caring for your confident smile!