With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s important to take some time for yourself and think about your goals this holiday season. Like everything in life, planning is the key to success and ensuring things go as planned this holiday season. Don’t forget to include your wellness and self-care too. With the stresses of the hustle and bustle of the holidays and the increased exposure to many people and it being cold and flu season, taking care of you will ensure that you stay as healthy as possible this holiday season.
You know yourself best, so think about what you can do to improve your health during the holidays? As a busy mom of three, I always try to do what I can to keep my family and myself healthy. These are some of the things we do which have helped over the years:
- Take your vitamins and supplements, especially vitamin D: With it getting dark early this season and the sun rising later, ensuring you have enough vitamin D is important. Did you know that you can have your vitamin D levels checked? Ask your doctor and see how your levels are like to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D.
- Take cold prevention vitamins: Our favourite cold prevention supplements is Emergen-C. A daily dose of this has helped us keep at our best.
- Meal prepping to ensure healthy eating: Home cooked meals are always going to be healthier. You can decide how much goes into your meal and also which ingredients are put in it. But there will be moments when it isn’t always possible but at least for the most part, if you can plan some for it, you’re getting some home-made goodness.
- Exercise when you can: Even if it’s only for 10 minutes in the morning. Getting yourself moving will have positive effects on your well-being. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or the escalator and get your steps in when you can. Park a little further away, do some stretching and meditation before bed. Find an online challenge to take part in. There’s a lot out there that can keep you motivated.
- Find ways to make things easier for you: Simple things like doing a curbside pickup for groceries or having groceries delivered; have a massage, do a yoga class. Block time on your calendar for certain tasks to ensure efficiency when setting time to do things. All of these can help alleviate the stress of the holiday season.
Remember that the holiday season should be a festive time but also a time to remember you and reminisce on this past year and think of what we can do for ourselves. With that being said, what can you do to improve your smile? As your Scarborough dentist, your oral health is important to us. Keeping your smile bright during the holiday season is a great way to spread joy and confidence! Here are some tips to help you maintain a radiant smile:
1. Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine
- Brush Twice a Day: Make sure you’re brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, using fluoride toothpaste. This helps remove plaque and prevent cavities.
- Floss Daily: Flossing removes food particles and plaque between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. This helps prevent gum disease and keeps your smile fresh.
- Use Mouthwash: A good mouthwash can help kill bacteria, freshen your breath, and prevent gum disease.
2. Watch What You Eat and Drink
- Limit Staining Foods and Drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine, and berries can stain your teeth. If you’re indulging, try drinking through a straw to reduce contact with your teeth.
- Eat Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits: Carrots, celery, apples, and pears can help scrub teeth clean as you eat them, removing some surface stains and promoting healthy gums.
- Limit Sugary Treats: Holiday sweets can lead to cavities if you don’t brush right after eating them. Try to balance sugary foods with healthy options to avoid plaque buildup.
3. Stay Hydrated
- Drinking water, especially after meals, helps wash away food particles and acids that can contribute to plaque buildup and tooth decay. It also keeps your mouth fresh!
4. Whitening Products
- At-Home Whitening Strips or Toothpaste: If you’re looking to enhance your smile, consider using whitening toothpaste or strips. Just be sure to follow the instructions to avoid overuse.
- In-Office Whitening: If you’re limited on time, in-office whitening may be for you. We can whiten your teeth in as little as an hour so that you’ll have a radiant, white smile this holiday season. For more information about in-office whitening, click here.
5. Schedule your Hygiene Appointment
- Visit Your Dentist: If you haven’t already, a professional cleaning before the holiday season can remove plaque and tartar buildup that regular brushing might miss, leaving your teeth looking brighter.
- ***Note: If your dental benefits run on a calendar year, you may want to ensure you get in before the year ends so make sure you book an appointment. click here to book an appointment with our team at Havenview Dental.
6. Protect Your Teeth
- Wear a Mouthguard: If you participate in sports or other activities, wearing a mouthguard can protect your teeth from injury. To learn more about mouthguards, click here.
- Avoid Grinding Your Teeth: Holiday stress can lead to teeth grinding (bruxism). If you suspect you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a night guard to protect your smile. To learn more about night guards, click here.
7. Smile with Confidence
- Smile More: Sometimes, the best way to brighten your smile is simply to share it! Smiling more often can boost your mood and make your teeth shine.
With these tips, you can keep your teeth healthy, bright, and ready for all those holiday photos and gatherings!
As your Scarborough dentist, we hope we have given you tips and tricks for keeping your smile bright this holiday season. If you’re looking for more information about more advanced dental treatments that can give you the smile you’ve always wanted, please visit www.havenviewdental.com or call us at 416-291-3117 and one of our dental professionals will be more than happy to help you. Here’s to keeping your smile bright this holiday season!!!
