Pembroke Dental and Spa

As pink and red hearts start appearing in early February, chances are people are busy spreading love with chocolate and candy, and are likely to overlook their oral health. While sugar is fine in moderation, eating sugar-rich food or candy too often can wreak havoc on your dental health. Frequently eating candy or other sugary goods can lead to tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth use sugar to stick to your teeth and produce acids, leading to loss of minerals from tooth enamel and tooth destruction.

Pay extra attention to sugar in treats and candy to help prevent tooth decay by limiting the frequency of eating sugary sweets and drinks.

Tips to take care of your dental health:

• Try dark chocolate on for size. Milk chocolate and lighter varieties of chocolate generally have higher amounts of sugar and milk, whereas dark chocolate has less sugar per serving.
• Avoid or limit hard candies that take a long time to dissolve. Eating lingering candies exposes the teeth to sugar for long periods of time and allows bacterial acids to dissolve tooth structure.
• Limit consumption of candy or sweets to just a few times per day, rather than snacking throughout the day. Frequent consumption does not allow saliva to neutralize the acids produced by plaque bacteria.
• For adults and those of legal-drinking age, skip sugary mixers such as sodas and juices to limit the amount of sugar intake.
• Drink water while consuming candy and other sweets. Staying hydrated is the best option to prevent dry mouth and limit bacteria.
• Eat healthier alternatives to candy and chocolate such as whole fruit or nuts.
• If possible, brush with a fluoride toothpaste right after consuming sweets.

It is important to practice good oral hygiene throughout the year and to take the necessary steps to protect your teeth and mouth. In addition to sensible snacking and good home care, make sure to schedule regular dental checkups to prevent disease, catch problems early, and bring any questions to a dental professional.

Dental Insurance Benefits Expire Soon

It’s almost holiday time. If you have any dental insurance benefits left, in between festivities and shopping, you should schedule your dental work and take advantage of your end-of-the-year insurance benefits.

Let’s discuss the importance of utilizing your dental benefits to maximize your smile and minimize your costs.

Understanding End-of-the-Year Dental Benefits:

Like general health insurance, most dental insurance plans follow a calendar year, meaning your benefits reset at the beginning of the new year. This makes the end of the year the perfect time to ensure you’ve used the dental services and all benefits you’re entitled to.

The Benefits of Utilizing Your Dental Insurance End-of-Year Benefits:

1. Preventive Care: Many dental insurance plans cover preventive dental cleanings and checkups. We can’t overstate the importance of keeping up with your preventative dental care. Good dental health is good health, and preventative care saves you money in the long run. If you still need to take advantage of your regular dental cleanings and checkups, schedule them before December 31st.
2. Minor Repairs: If you’ve been putting off minor dental repairs, such as fillings or small dental procedures, check your insurance plan (or we can run a complimentary insurance check for you) to see what procedures are covered. Using your insurance benefits now can prevent minor problems from becoming major issues in the future. And, if covered, those problems could be solved at low to no cost to you.
3. Maximizing Coverage: Many dental insurance plans have an annual maximum, which is the most your plan will pay for your dental work in a year. You can make the most of your coverage by using your benefits before the year ends. If you need multiple treatments, you can take care of some of them this year and then continue where you’ve left off when your benefits restart in the new year.

How to Maximize Your Smile and Minimize Costs:

1. Schedule an Appointment: Call us or schedule an appointment online. If you are unsure about what treatment you may have been recommended and whether or not it’s covered, we can help you with a complimentary insurance check. Don’t wait until the last minute, though, as we usually get very busy.
2. Plan Treatment: We have your open treatment plans on file and can help you plan treatment to ensure it aligns with your insurance benefits and budget.
3. Dental Cleanings: If you’re due for a cleaning, you should definitely schedule this before the holidays. You’ll not only get your smile spruced up for the festivities, but it will most likely be low to no charge to you.
4. Regular Checkups: Regular dental checkups can catch problems early, potentially saving you money on more extensive dental work in the future.
5. Consult Your Dentist: We’re here to help. We can make recommendations and run a benefits check to help you get the most out of your dental insurance benefits.

Don’t waste your dental insurance benefits as the year ends. A quick call can help you prioritize your oral health and take advantage of your coverage. You can maximize your smile while minimizing costs. Remember, dental issues often worsen when left untreated, so preventative care is really important and can be very low-cost if you use your dental insurance wisely.

Call our office to schedule and get assistance at (954) 419 4455. You can schedule online if you already know what treatment you need and your plan details.

The year is about to end, but one of the enjoyable events is still to be celebrated. Yes, it’s Christmas. It brings happiness and love to their celebrations. We meet with our new and old friends, go on parties and trips with family and friends. It’s really difficult to keep perfect dental health along with holiday fun and celebrations. But don’t worry Pembroke Dental & Spa Christmas dental tips really make your event full of joy.

1. Don’t break your brushing routine

It’s really hard to keep your routine on track especially during events and celebrations. Winter Holidays bring happiness, the joy of gathering, and meeting with friends. It’s necessary to keep you brushing your teeth for excellent dental health.

2. Prepare sugar-free Christmas desserts

Make a list of sugar-free desserts and find their recipes before Christmas. These desserts will be healthier for your dental health. The best Christmas dental tip by a Dentist in Pembroke Pines is to reduce your sugar content at this event.

3. No more candies

The use of candies and sweets always gives a bad impact on your oral health. The best dental tips by Boston Dentists are to reduce your sugar content and sweet intake at this event.

4. Moderate your alcohol

At Christmas parties, the high alcohol intake has a negative effect on your oral health. Moderation of drinks is the dental tip for disease-free and healthy teeth.

5. Don’t take carbonic drinks

Carbonic and acidic drinks like soft drinks and citric juices can damage your teeth ‘outer enamel and make it more permeable for dental bacteria.

6. Prefer fresh fruits and vegetables

Natural food has no alternative. For a healthy body, the role of fruits and vegetables is admirable. They also provide the necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy teeth.

7. Prepare a holiday brushing kit

Holiday trips can be unplanned and surprising on Christmas. Always prepare a hand carrying dental brushing kit.

8. Find gifts other than candies

Finds some new exciting gifts for kids other than sweets and candies.

9. Chew sugar-free gums

Sugar-free chewing gums like xylitol lower the caries risk. Take one to two gums per day for a shining smile.

10. Don’t use your teeth as a bottle opener

On Christmas, many people have broken teeth due to trauma by alcohol lid opening or use your teeth for gift ribbon opening. Please don’t use your teeth as a lid opener.

11. Don’t bite on hard food

Hard food biting can chip your teeth and can cause dental pain.

12. Pre Christmas dental visit

Pre Christmas dental visits can prevent many arising dental problems. You can give a precautionary dental visit at our dental office in Pembroke Pines before the Holidays for a healthy and bright smile.

Schedule your appointment online with one of our finest dentists in the Miami Dade Area.

The winter holidays are the ideal time to rest and leave most of our obligations to one side. However, what we should not forget about is our general health. our general health and the dental care that our mouth needs to avoid common problems.

The change of timetable, of routines, meals away from home, the consumption of certain foods and drinks that we do not usually take on a daily basis, are some of the practices that are most often repeated during these periods of rest. during these rest periods.

Don’t get distracted during these days. Taking care of your oral health is also possible during the summerwhile you enjoy your well-deserved holidays, by simply dedicating a few minutes a day and putting into practice certain tips.

How to maintain dental health on holiday

The arrival of the summer break does not necessarily mean a change in oral care habits. However, it is not uncommon for many people to people neglect their dental hygiene to a greater or lesser extent on holiday, increasing the risk of gum inflammation or caries formation.This increases the risk of inflammation of the gums or the formation of caries.

Brushing and caring for your teeth on a daily basis is a habit that should not be abandoned. While it is not necessary to deprive yourself of those little summer treats such as eating out or having an ice cream, there is no need to take a break from dental care on holiday.

What is the first rule that dentists insist on to ensure dental health in summer? Dedicate time to cleaning your teeth every day, without fail..

Let’s take a look at the tips that will help you and your family make it easier to keep your mouth healthy and come back from the holidays without any problems with your teeth or gums.

Holiday dental care tips

In the same way that during the summer it is recommended to pay special attention to the health of our skin due to the increased exposure to the sun’s rays due to the greater exposure to the sun’s rays, or a correct functioning of the digestive system due to the change in diet, oral health is more exposed to certain problems.

Follow these simple tips for proper dental care this summer:

Oral hygiene travel kit

During your holidays, always carry with you a complete dental cleaning kit. Consisting of a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, Mouthwash and dental floss or interdental brushes, you will have no excuse for brushing your teeth after eating out.

Maintaining the toothbrushing routine

Continue your dental care routine during the holidays without missing a step. Just take a few minutes to just by dedicating a few minutes to oral cavity hygiene after every mealyou can prevent multiple dental and gingival problems.

Caring for your toothbrush

Pay attention to the care of your toothbrush. If you are going to carry it in your bag or in a toilet bag, make sure it is well protected so that it is not damaged or contaminated. well protected so that it does not get damaged or contaminated.. Keep it away from other family members’ toothbrushes to avoid cross-contamination. And don’t forget to change it for a new one every 2 or 3 months, or if you notice it has deteriorated.

Chewing sugar-free gum

If you don’t have the chance to brush your teeth after eating, sugar-free gum is a good alternative to chewing gum to protect your oral health. Chewing gum generates a greater flow of saliva in the mouth, making it easier for food debris to come off.helping food debris come off more easily and helping to reduce the amount of biofilm in your mouth. and helping to reduce the amount of biofilm that forms on the surface of the teeth and gums.

Maintaining good hydration

Drinking plenty of water is another alternative to maintain oral hygiene and balance the pH of your mouth when you eat out and do not have the option of brushing your teeth. when you eat out and don’t have the option of brushing your teeth. Drinking water prevents mouth infections and at the same time keeps you hydrated in the hot weather.

Limit sugary drinks

Avoid as much as possible sugary drinks or foods rich in sugar as much as possible.. It is normal that in summer we feel more like drinking juices, soft drinks, ice-creams and sweets, but if the key is to limit the frequency, and above all, to brush your teeth afterwards to remove any sugar residue.

Limit consumption of cold food and beverages.

Cold food and drinks are also more appetising during the summer holidays. However, they can increase tooth sensitivity, they can increase tooth sensitivitycausing multiple discomforts to teeth and gums. If you suffer from hypersensitivity, try not to drink drinks that are too hot or too cold.

Avoid alcohol and tobacco consumption

Moderate or avoid tobacco and alcohol consumption for dental care during the holidays. In addition to being unhealthy in general, both alcohol and tobacco favour the appearance of halitosis and affect the body’s natural defences, making it more vulnerable to any type of infection.making it more vulnerable to any kind of infection.

Visiting the dentist after the holidays

Take the opportunity to make an appointment with your dentist just after the summer period. This is the perfect time to make an appointment for a check-up and even an annual mouth cleaning..

Find other tips to enjoy good oral health at any time of the year at any time of the year on the PDS blog.

If you have any doubts, ask your dentist what you can do to boost your dental care during the holidays and keep your smile healthier and more beautiful all season long.

Summer is fast approaching, making now a great time to remind patients of the importance of scheduling a dental checkup for their children. Once summer break begins, it can be easy for parents to get caught up in summer camp, little league, family vacations and all the things that make the season memorable for their children. But summer can also be the most important and the easiest time to bring in a child for a routine dental exam.

Here, we discuss the benefits of a summertime dental visit for children, why summer is the best time to bring in a child for a dental checkup and how to best communicate the importance of the summertime dental checkup with patients.

The benefits of scheduling a summertime dental visit for children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States; most readers of Off the Cusp likely already know this. But it’s worth mentioning because of how easy it is for children to get off routine during summer break.

Without the structure of school or because of the changing routine of summer activities, it can be easy for oral health care to take a back seat. With this lack of structure and increase in activities, often come more sugary treats or snacking throughout the day. For example, while sports drinks are great for replacing electrolytes lost during a hot summer day playing baseball, these drinks are usually loaded with sugar, leading to caries. By getting a child in for routine care early in summer, the dentist can catch caries early or discuss measures beyond routine flossing and brushing to further prevent cavities, such as applying sealants. According to the CDC, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants,” making the application beneficial for most children.

Although a trip to the dentist might not be at the top of their summer break plans, making sure kids get their routine dental exam in before the start of school in the fall is important. In fact, some schools even require a dental screening for enrollment. Regardless of state or local requirements, it’s important to stay on top of routine oral health care to ensure up-to-date records are on file in case of a dental emergency and to instill good oral hygiene habits.

While it may be easy for parents to put off or even forget to bring their children in for a checkup during the summer months, it can be a rather convenient time for a dental appointment. With children on summer break, there is no worry about needing to miss class, which means less hassle for the parent and less stress on the child.

Along with school being out, many parents find it’s easier to bring their kids in for a dental appointment because of a more open schedule. With no school, it can be easier for parents to find time during a weekday to bring in their child or to have a secondary caregiver bring them in, such as grandma or grandpa.

Finally, with kids at home more during the summer and extra time available in the evenings, summer can be a great time for parents to focus on home oral health routines. Oral health providers should make a point to discuss home oral hygiene routines during any routine exam but talking about home care with a pediatric patient during a summer appointment can have a greater impact. During the exam, speak with the parent and child about when to brush, for how long and show them proper technique. Discuss other home oral care and ways to make it a part of their everyday life. The younger the patient, the more important it is to instill good oral hygiene habits.

Going through life with teeth that make you feel self-conscious in social situations is no way to live your life. If your teeth are chipped, stained, or simply unattractive, porcelain dental veneers are the best way to reshape your teeth and give you the confidence you deserve every time you smile.

The benefits of porcelain veneers go beyond just aesthetic appeal and are truly life-changing.

Turning Imperfections Into Perfection

If you’ve spent years hating your smile and hiding behind your lips or hands, enough is enough. Porcelain veneers help patients to completely transform the look, shape, and feel of their teeth in an easy and conservative way. Tompkins Dental can help you with your smile makeover.

Changing the shape of your teeth

If you’ve put off the idea of braces or other orthodontic alternatives because misaligned teeth aren’t the only issue with your smile, veneers may be a better option. Veneers have the power to make your teeth longer, wider, more symmetrical, and to create a more visually appealing look.

Widening Your Smile

Struggling with a narrow arch? Veneers can improve narrow arches by building out your teeth to give you a wider more balanced look.

Closing unwanted gaps

For teeth that have unwanted spaces or gaps between them, braces are not your only option. Veneers are a great way to close those gaps between your teeth without the time commitment of orthodontics.

An Orthodontic alternative

Not everyone needs to invest the time and money into orthodontics to create a better-looking smile. Veneers can make your visible front teeth appear straighter by building out crowded teeth which not only makes your teeth look better but also leads to easier cleaning and better dental checkups.

Making a color change

Stained and damaged teeth from a history of smoking or other dental health issues that cannot be corrected by teeth bleaching can be masked by covering the surface of your teeth with veneers.

The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

• Strength and durability – Made from a strong and durable material, porcelain veneers allow patients to enjoy favorite foods without any dietary restrictions.
• Long-lasting solution – With proper patient care and continued dental exams, patients can expect for porcelain veneers to last for as long as 10 to 15 years without having to be repaired or replaced.
• Natural results – Veneers are a completely custom-made product that will be specifically created to match your natural tooth color for undetectable results. No one will be able to tell that you are wearing veneers.
• Completely customizable – The process of having veneers created is completely customized so each veneer is a hand-crafted fit for your individual tooth. Impressions of your teeth will be taken to ensure a perfect and lasting fit the first time.
• Stain-resistant – If your reason for veneers is because of stained and un-bleachable teeth, one of the most important benefits to veneers for you is their ability to be completely stain resistant. You will be able to maintain a bright white smile while still being able to enjoy things like coffee, tea and wine without the worry of staining or fading.
• Enhanced confidence – A smile makeover can make you feel more confident about your appearance and gives current patients a better quality of life every day. Porcelain veneers are able to improve teeth that are cracked, chipped, broken, extremely discolored, slightly misaligned or gap-teeth.
• No recovery time – Once your placement appointment is completed, you will be walking out of our dental office with the ability to carry on with your normal, everyday activities and a brand new smile.

Are You Ready For a Better You?

We help patients just like you every day by making a smile transformation possible. Full sets of veneers will remake your teeth and give you the smile of your dreams, while a single veneer can repair an individually flawed tooth that has always bothered you. Pembroke Dental & Spa works with our patients to ensure complete satisfaction every time. Schedule your own veneer consultation today!

Christmas is over. No doubt your teeth and gums have seen better days after the indulgence of everything naughty. Go on, admit it. We know you’ve been scarfing mince pies and candy canes over the holiday period, even if you did have to sneak behind the Christmas tree to do it.

All jokes aside, we don’t for a minute expect you to hold yourself to a low sugar diet during the festive season. After all, that’s what holidays are for – overindulgence!

But with a new year approaching, it’s time to set some healthy New Year’s Resolutions – and ones that you can actually keep!

More often than not, people tend to choose restrictive and unsustainable resolutions, which means within a few weeks, they’re broken. This is why people usually make the same resolutions year after year.

Our intention for you is that you break the cycle of not sticking to your commitments and make achievable resolutions that not only improve your oral health but can also be implemented into your daily life forever!

Here are 8 New Year’s resolutions for your teeth and gums that you’ll actually be able to keep.

1. Schedule dental appointments/cleanings 

If you’ve been slack with paying a visit to your dentist, you’re certainly not alone. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), approximately one-third of people in the US see a dentist less than once a year.

Let’s see if we can change that!

We recommend that you schedule a dental cleaning and a dentist evaluation every 6 months to support your personal efforts. The reports that you can receive on your gum-pockets’ depth, on plaque and calculus formation, and on the general health of your gums can be valuable feedback on the effectiveness of your personal oral hygiene practices. And if any potential problems are discovered, it’s best to treat them as early as you can, before they become more difficult to treat.

As well as paying two visits to your dentist this year, we also recommend scheduling a bi-annual professional cleaning with your dental hygienist. This will help to remove any hard calculus that may have cemented on your gum line.

So why don’t you give your dentist a call, schedule those appointments, and mark them in your calendar right now? There’s no time like the present!

2. Cut back on soft drinks

Because sugar is one of the biggest culprits in our country’s ever-declining dental health problem, it’s a smart idea to cut back on sugary beverages and soda.

Not only does the sugar in soda become food for the ‘bad’ bacteria in your mouth making dental plaque so acidic that it attacks tooth enamel, but it can negatively affect the body in numerous ways. Sugary drinks and soda are linked to obesity, heart disease, insulin resistance, and of course cavities and gum disease.

3. Eat more whole foods

One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to improve oral and overall health is to include more whole foods into your diet.

As we’ve said time and time again, the reason why our most ancient ancestors had such impeccable oral health is because they ate a completely raw, unrefined, and highly nutritious diet.

Eating healthily not only boosts our immune system but also nourishes our soft oral tissues which are the most vulnerable in the body.

So next time you’re at the grocery store, stock up on whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish, which all contain an abundance of nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level.

4. Get more quality sleep

Getting adequate sleep is absolutely essential to our living of a healthy happy life.

Our brain, heart, mood, immune function, and metabolism are just a few things a lack of sleep can dramatically alter, which in turn, can lead to diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and obesity.

So set an intention for the year ahead to adjust your lifestyle so it’s conducive to a good night’s sleep. That means no screen time at least an hour before bed and going to bed at a reasonable hour.

You may even want to have a relaxing bath with some gentle music just before bedtime. Also cutting back the caffeine will help you fall asleep more easily.

5. Move more, sit less

It’s easy to become a couch potato over the holiday period. And that’s OK! But whether it’s due to having a sedentary job or simply being inactive, many people generally sit more than they should.

Sitting too much can have negative effects on your health and is linked to a whole variety of diseases. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle can even be linked to an early death.

Going for a brisk walk, attending a yoga or exercise class, or even doing a few laps around the front yard will do you the world of good.

Making a resolution to sit less is an easy and sustainable resolution that can be tailored to fit your lifestyle.

6. Have more ‘me time‘ and practise self-care.

We can’t stress enough the importance of having a diligent self-care practice. It’s absolutely imperative for optimal health and well-being.

We know, for those with busy schedules, it’s not always easy to carve out time, but we recommend starting small and increasing your ‘me time’ bit by bit.

A short morning self-care routine might include 10 minutes of movement, 10 minutes of deep breathing and 10 minutes of journaling. If that seems too long, then just start with 5 minutes of intentional breathing and write down 5 affirmations.

Or even if that feels like too much of a stretch, then how about having a bath once a week or attending one of your favorite weekly yoga classes, or going to bed extra early.

We want these resolutions to be achievable, remember? Find simple ways to relax and bring more peace of mind into your life; a relaxed mind means a relaxed body, and a relaxed body means a healthy body.

Think of something nice you can do for yourself and commit to it. You won’t regret it!

7. Use natural household products 

It’s pretty obvious that what you put into your body can significantly impact your overall health and well-being. But the same is also true when it comes to the household products you use. Remember, your skin is the largest organ of your body, and since it’s porous, it absorbs whatever you put on it. And what gets absorbed by the skin is then transported to the rest of our bodies.

To eliminate a lot of toxins and chemicals that are harmful to our bodies, try and choose certified organic and natural skincare products. Make sure you read the labels and become familiar with what ingredients you should avoid.

Make a New Year’s resolution to purchase more natural cosmetics, laundry detergents, household cleaners, and personal care products to create a healthier environment for you and your family.

8. Switch your toothpaste for a natural tooth powder. 

Maintaining good oral health is a New Year’s resolution idea that can and should be sustained for life.

Not only do you need to make sure you’re brushing and flossing regularly, but what’s more important is what you’re brushing your teeth with!

If you are using a fluoride-based toothpaste, throw it away right now! We’re not joking. Especially if you’re a person that tends to struggle with your oral health, then it is likely that the oral health products you are using could be contributing to your problems.

Let’s make 2023 the best year yet! Here’s to a newer, healthier you!

The holidays are nearly here, and with them comes a smorgasbord of delicacies you’ve likely been anticipating all year. Your taste buds are delighted and planning to relish every moment. Meanwhile, your teeth and gums are cowering in dread of the onslaught to come.

By following these 10 simple dental tips, you can still enjoy the holidays fully without compromising your white, bright smile or the health of your teeth and gums.

1. Eat These Teeth-Healthy Foods

Holidays bring with them plenty of opportunities to reunite with friends, mix and mingle and, of course, nibble and munch.

You should definitely give yourself permission to splurge a bit and enjoy some of the decadence that won’t come around again for another 12 months. But be sure to balance that out with crunchy fruits and veggies  (carrots are a particularly great choice), whole grains and plenty of refreshing water. Your teeth will thank you, and so will your wallet!

2. Avoid These Dental No-No Foods

Sticky, hard, chewy, gummy or sugary foods may be tasty as all get out, but they are no friend to your teeth and gums. That includes the ever-present candy canes, soft mint chews, ice cubes, chestnuts and other standard holiday staples.

It can be tough to say no to these traditional once-a-year treats. But if you can practice looking at a candy cane (or whatever off-limits item is in your sights) and visualizing an expensive dental filling charge instead, this can serve as a helpful deterrent while you are finding a safer alternative.

3. Stick To Your Daily Oral Health Routine

As best as possible, you should set an intention to stick to your daily oral health routine. Twice-daily flossing, brushing and gargling may not be the most fun part of your holiday schedule, but for your teeth and gums they are like a trip to Disney World as well as a get-out-of-the-dentist-chair-free card.

With just the merest bit of extra planning and effort now, you can look forward to a clean bill of dental health in the New Year.

4. Schedule Your Post-Holiday Checkup & Cleaning Now

This isn’t your first holiday season, so you likely already know just how swamped you are going to be. You probably also realize that, despite all your best intentions and promises, there will be times you won’t floss or brush or gargle or do any of the things you know you need to do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

So be it. The good news is, you can schedule your post-holiday cleaning and check-up now, so the moment the holidays are over, you can help your teeth stay clean, bright and cavity free from day one of the New Year.

5. Drink Plenty of Water Daily

Drinking water has so many benefits, especially during the holidays when you are out and about more than ever and want to look and feel your best. For example, water can keep your skin looking fresh, hydrated and blemish-free.

Water can freshen your breath and aid in digestion and elimination. Water can also fill you up so you don’t have to add “go on a diet” to your New Year’s Resolutions yet again. But one of water’s best perks is that it can clean away freshly formed bacteria so you don’t wake up one morning with a sore tooth and an emergency trip to the dentist.

6. Never Use Your Teeth As Present-Openers

Teeth are great for many things – for instance, chewing and enunciating. But they do not make good tools. Using your teeth to open bottles, packages, snack bags and other similar activities can only lead to no good.

With time, this activity will weaken the enamel and the more fragile edges of your teeth, leading to cracking and breakage, and an expensive cosmetic repair job.

7. Chew Cinnamon Gum

Cinnamon gum contains an ingredient called “cinnamon aldehyde.” This is the essential oil that gives the gum that crisp, spicy flavor, but it does more than wake up your salivary glands. It can also hunt down and destroy cavity-forming bacteria. This is a great way to keep bacteria formation to a minimum in between brushes.

As a side note, cinnamon can also keep your breath fresher for longer, which really helps if you just can’t resist that garlic-laden dip!

8. Choose Light-Colored Or Clear Beverages

If you’ve invested time all year in whitening and brightening your teeth, the last thing you want to do is wake up on New Year’s morning and wonder why your formerly white teeth now appear to be a pale-ish pink. Yes, red wine is purportedly full of cancer-fighting antioxidants, as is the tasty cranberry juice in those New Year’s Eve cosmopolitans. But both are also potent tooth-stainers that can quickly undo all your hard work from the year just passed.

To keep your teeth as white as possible this holiday season, opt for light-colored or clear beverages. They will still be very tasty, but they won’t leave your teeth looking any the worse for wear.

9. When You Imbibe, Nibble On Cheese

Everyone loves a nip of nog or sip of bubbly during the holidays. But adult beverages are notorious for their high acid content, which over time to wear away relentlessly at your protective tooth enamel.

To cut the acid content without cutting into your fun, nibble on a chunk of cheese in between sips. In the truly miraculous nature of food science, the alkaline in the cheese neutralizes the acid in the beverage. Best of all, they both taste great!

10. Pack A To-Go Teeth Cleaning Kit For Parties

If you are like most, chances are good you won’t find yourself at home twiddling your thumbs too often during the upcoming holidays. And you certainly won’t be eager to carve out time when you do finally get home each night for brushing, flossing, and gargling.

So what to do? One of the hands-down best compromises is to pack a little to-go teeth cleaning kit that you can take to parties with you. Not only will this make you rescue-ready if you end up with spinach dip wedged between your two front teeth, but it will help you remember to care for your teeth during this particularly hectic time of year.