The holidays are a time to celebrate, eat delicious food, and catch up with family and friends. A variety of seasonal treats start popping up on your table and in your kitchen. As you know, it is important to moderate your intake of sweet and acidic foods in order to keep your teeth healthy. That does not mean that you have to completely stop eating them. Instead, make sure that you are making healthy choices and maintaining a healthy diet during the holidays to keep your teeth healthy. Structure your eating habits to support your teeth. Here are three effective ways to keep your teeth healthy during the holidays.

Drink a glass of water after each meal.

If you do not have your toothbrush with you, the next best thing you can do is drink a big glass of water after a meal. You should do this especially if the meal contains sugary, acidic foods that can damage your tooth enamel. Water helps to wash away food residues that are left behind. It also helps to loosen up food particles that are stuck in your teeth and gums, making it easier for you to remove them when you brush your teeth and floss at a later time.

Eat a crunchy piece of fruit for dessert.

After you finish up your holiday feast, make sure you include a crunchy piece of fruit as your final dessert. Crunchy fruits such as apples and pears require vigorous chewing. The chewing involved in breaking down these fruits stimulates further saliva production. That saliva helps to bathe your teeth and remove residues that are left behind after your meal. As an added bonus, the high water content of these fruits helps to negate the harmful effects of their natural sugars; this allows you to indulge in your sweet tooth without guilt.

Drink dark, staining beverages through a straw.

Wine, tea, coffee, and cola are all abundant at a holiday gathering. You can combat the tooth staining effects of these beverages by drinking them through a straw. This allows you to savor their taste without letting the staining liquid get into contact with your teeth. Do not backwash the liquid, as your porous tooth enamel then comes into contact with the highly pigmented chromogens in the beverage. You should also rinse your mouth out after having these beverage just to minimize your risk of staining your teeth even further.

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