Making the Holidays Count for Your Dental Health

The holidays are an exciting time full of activities, and maintaining good oral care during them can be difficult. One typical activity is counting down to Christmas with an advent calendar, but calendars that focus on chocolate and sweets are not that great for children's teeth. Here are four ways to make your advent calendar a dental-smart one, plus eight bonus tips for a healthy holiday season.

Making that advent calendar oral-healthy

• Story-a-day. Pick a holiday-themed book for each day of the countdown and read it together at bedtime.
• Puzzles. Give your child a customised puzzle, with one piece tucked into each day of the calendar.
• Holiday activities. Write a fun holiday activity on a slip of paper for each day, to do together as a family.
• Sugar-free trinkets. Fill each day with a simple trinket instead of candy.

Eight bonus tips for a healthy holiday season

• Carol while you clean. Brushing should last about two minutes, so humming a few verses of your favourite holiday song while you brush (don't forget your tongue) helps you brush for long enough.
• Don't eat like a cow. Grazing on food left out all day puts your teeth at greater risk of decay. Put food out at mealtimes only, then put it away.
• Have a routine. Brush twice a day for two minutes with a toothpaste your dentist recommends, and don't forget to floss daily.
• Don't forget the dentist. The holidays are busy, but if you are due for a clean or other work, book in before the new year.
• Drink water. Choose water with fluoride over soft drinks, sports drinks and juices high in sugar.
• Be attentive to sugary sweets. Enjoy holiday treats, but keep an eye on how much sugar you consume, and brush and floss afterwards.
• Stay away from soda. Try fizzy water instead, or use a straw to keep acid off your teeth if you do have soda.
• Maintain your routine. Keep a travel-size toothbrush with you, and consider sugar-free gum with xylitol between snacks.

United Smiles is conveniently located in the heart of Mernda Village, serving patients of all ages, with ample parking at the rear of the building and wheelchair access at the front.

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