As the winter approaches, many people are planning to attend family and social gatherings. From dinners to holiday cocktails, open houses and into the new year, you’ll want to look your best. Here are four of our favorite tips to keep your smile looking bright this holiday season.
1. Stay Hydrated
Avoiding red wine is the best thing to do, but of course it can be difficult. Drinking water is as important as ever during the holidays. It may be even more important during this time of year because of all of the salty, oily and rich foods consumed.
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By staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water, you can make sure that you replenish saliva, subsequently protecting your teeth from unsightly stains. Better yet, drink seltzer or carbonated water. Not only will this help you to rehydrate but the light carbonation will also help to scrub away the wine before it can stain your teeth. If you can’t avoid the red wine, then alternate glasses with plenty of water.
2. Fortify Your Teeth With Fiber and Calcium Rich Foods
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This is one of the best ways to make sure you have great teeth all year long. Calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C are all great for your teeth, and so is fiber. Foods that are high in fiber such as dark leafy greens, celery, apples, and other vegetables and fruits are an excellent option because, like the above-mentioned sparkling water, they help scrub away stains before they are able to set.
Cheese and other calcium-rich foods are great, especially hard cheeses. Unlike soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert, hard cheeses are better choices because they are healthier for your teeth and act as a polish – filling in some of the spaces that might have otherwise been left for wine stains. Don’t forget to brush your teeth well after eating, though!
3. Avoid White Wine
Did you know that white wine is some of the most acidic of all the holiday foods? The acid in white wine actually can act almost as a primer for red wine and other dark stains. The high acidity in this kind of wine also means the erosion of enamel overall, making your teeth more porous and susceptible to stains.
4. Consider Teeth Whitening
When all else fails, don’t forget that at GEORGE Dental Group we have many options for cosmetic dentistry available – including teeth whitening. Here's a tip, “Do a quick whitening the day of or night before photos or events, giving your teeth a vibrant white and refreshed look.”
