Follow these tips to keep your mouth merry and bright throughout the season

The holiday season is here, which means many people are “out and about” shopping for unique items, attending special events and visiting friends and family. With all of the face-to-face conversations and picture taking that’s sure to take place, maintaining a healthy mouth becomes even more important.

To help people keep their pearly whites strong throughout the holiday season, Dr. Peter Bowers, Anthem’s Medical Director, offers the following tips:

1) Two and Two. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends people brush their teeth two times a day for two minutes. This simple habit can make a big difference over time.

2) Avoid hard candy and other sweets that might stay in the mouth for a long period of time. The quantity and the amount of time sugary foods and sweets stay in the mouth plays a major role in tooth decay.

3) Limit the amount of sticky and/or chewy candies. During this time of the year, it’s very easy to munch on mouthwatering pieces of sticky or chewy sweets like caramel, toffee and fudge. Just remember, stickier candies take longer to get washed away by saliva and can increase the risk for tooth decay. In addition, some of the stickier candies and desserts can loosen or remove fillings, crowns and other dental work.

4) Drink water, water and more water. When teeth are in constant contact with beverages that contain sugar, there is an increased risk of tooth decay. Balance things out by drinking water in between drinking sugary beverages. If bottled water is an option, make sure to choose the fluoridated bottled water.

5) Don’t use the teeth. Giving and receiving gifts are a common practice during the holidays. Some people get caught up in the excitement of wrapping and opening items that they use their teeth to remove tags from new clothing and to cut through string and tape. Try to avoid using teeth as a pair of scissors because this type of wear and tear can cause teeth to crack, chip and even break!

6) Visit the dentist. Remember to schedule a checkup appointment with the dentist. It’s important to maintain regular and routine preventive dental care during the holidays and throughout the year because a regular dental exam can bring attention to issues that aren’t visible or painful in the early stages. A dentist can spot early warning signs in the mouth that may indicate disease elsewhere in the body1.

Enjoy the fun times and celebrations this holiday season and remember to keep Dr. Bower’s tips in mind.

Source: 1-American Dental Association: http://www.ada.org/en/about-the-ada/dentists-doctors-of-oral-health

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut

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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue ShieldSarah Yeager203-859-0996Sarah.Yeager@Anthem.com