Protect your Holiday Smile!

It’s that time of year where, nearly everywhere you go, you are surrounded by sweets and goodies. It is most likely that all of us, at one point or another, will succumb to the delicious treats we find, as we make our way through the holiday season. With that in mind, here are a few tips to protect your smile this holiday season!

1. Eat the Sweets All at Once! It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s better to eat the sugary treats all at once so that afterward you can rinse with water and let your mouth return to it’s normal state. If you graze on sweet treats throughout the day, your mouth never gets a break from the acidic environment that the sugar creates, and it can be very hard on your enamel. So, if you are going to eat some treats, eat them in one sitting and be done!

2. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Openers! This time of year, we tend to have a lot of packages and special treats to open. Sometimes cellophane, ribbons and other wrapping can be difficult to open. However, we warn you not to give in to the temptation to use your teeth! Use a scissors or some other tool to open those packages- you don’t want to risk breaking a tooth, especially this time of year.

3. Carry a ‘Tooth-Kit’ in Your Car! This time of year we keep things like emergency blankets and jumper cables in our cars, just in case. It’s a good idea to carry a travel size toothbrush, toothpaste and floss in your car with you also! This way, between parties or family visits, you can make sure your teeth are clean, and ready for your next social event. Keep that smile fresh!

One of Dr. Wilk’s favorite phrases is, “Everything in moderation”.

While, he does say this all of the time, it is especially true at this time of year. We don’t want you to feel like you can’t go have a sweet from the break room at work, BUT be sure not to graze all through the day, and be sure to DRINK WATER throughout the day! (Like you haven’t heard that before!) Last, but certainly not least, be sure to keep up with your oral hygiene routine at home - brush for 2 minutes, 2 times a day and floss once a day. Keep Smiling!

It's Still Summer! Who Needs a Routine?! (Hint: We all do!)

Here we are in mid-August (can you believe it?) and there’s a good chance that summer has gotten the better of many of our routines. Going to bed, waking up, when we eat our meals … all of these things, and more, have become less routine for many of us as the summer has worn on. And yet, in a matter of weeks, we will all be in “back-to-school” mode. Fall will be upon us and many of us (not naming names) will be needing to get back on schedule ASAP.

That makes this a great time to be sure that your oral health care routine gets back on track before the craziness of fall hits. There are a few simple things to do to make sure you are ready:

First: Be sure to get back on your brushing and flossing habits! Brush two times a day for two minutes, morning and night and floss one time a day. Using a fluoride toothpaste can help!

Second: If you are squeezing in some last minute travel plans, take healthy snacks with you. Apples, oranges, bananas and cheese sticks are all easily transportable, make great on-the-go snacks and are healthier for your teeth and body than processed foods. If you are bringing pretzels or chips with you, try to add cheese to the snack also. Starting these snacking habits now will help you transition into some great school lunch snacks also!

Third: Keep travel size toothbrushes, paste and floss with you or in the car for day-trips or spur-of-the-moment plans! It is fun to be spontaneous but not-so-fun to skip brushing or flossing so set yourself up for travel success!

Lastly: Drink water! Whether you are on the road, at home or starting school again, drinking water throughout the day is one of the easiest things you can do to maintain your dental health!

Regardless of what your daily routine ends up looking like, be sure your brushing routine stays strong!

Sharing Smiles at the State Fair

It’s August in Wisconsin, so there’s a good chance you’ll be heading to the State Fair (or county fair!) in the near future. (Cream puffs, anyone?!) When at these special events, how can you enjoy yourself, take in some of the delicious food and drink, and still take care of your teeth? 

There's no doubt, that at special events like these, we tend to eat and drink a little differently than normal. (At least we hope so. A cream puff a day might be a bit too much. Double check with your physician.) The truth is, that’s OK. As we frequently say to our patients here at Grand Avenue Dental Care, “everything in moderation”. As we don’t go around eating food on sticks and cream puffs everyday, a trip to the state fair is part of the ‘moderation’ we talk about. However, there are still a few things you can do to take good care of your oral health while out at the fair!

Tip #1: Drink water throughout your day at the fair. This is a no-brainer not just for your teeth, but your whole body. It will keep you hydrated, it will help to rinse debris from between your teeth and it will help to restore your mouth to a neutral pH level after eating or drinking something acidic. 

Tip #2: If possible avoid the super sticky foods. These kinds of treats tend to trick you by sticking into the grooves of your teeth and between your teeth, making your mouth more susceptible to cavities. Instead, eat some dairy (cheese or milk) when you can to help neutralize any acidity in your mouth.

Tip #3: Eat some crunchy, raw vegetables or fruit with your meal. Even corn on the cob can help push sugar-y foods off of your teeth. Just remember to floss later! (and rinse with water!)

Tip #4: Chew sugar-free gum in-between snacks or meals. This can help remove debris from your teeth and will also keep your breath fresh!

Tip #5: Bring floss in your purse or pocket! Just in case that corn on the cob, or some other food on a stick, gets stuck between your teeth. A quick flossing session and you’re good to go!

Ultimately, these kinds of summer traditions are the things we want to enjoy and ‘splurge’ on. Drink water throughout the day to help keep your mouth at a neutral pH level and less susceptible to cavities while you enjoy the deliciousness of the fair. You also might want to put your dentist’s phone number into your phone. That way, if you ever have a dental emergency, you’ll be set!

See you at the Dairy Pavilion!