The holiday season is upon us, and it’s a wonderful time of the year, filled with family gatherings, special events, and lots of delicious food and drink options. If you live in Clintonville or the surrounding area, there are so many fun things to see and do.
Unfortunately, all the holiday hustle and bustle could be detrimental to your dental hygiene and oral health. The dental team at Shiflett Family Dental wants every patient to achieve and maintain the healthiest teeth and gums possible, before, during, and after the holidays.
In this Holiday Survival Guide, we’ll explore how you can enjoy Clintonville’s best treats without the dental guilt, as well as what to do when the unexpected dental emergency happens.
The Local Context: Enjoying What Clintonville Has to Offer
This year, Holidayville was a tremendous success; people from across the region descended on Clintonville to enjoy one another’s company and experience what this remarkable town has to offer. During this annual event, local businesses showcased their wares, giving residents a chance to do some holiday shopping and make lasting memories with their friends and family.
With plenty of activities for the kids, loads of wonderful music, and the Holidayville Trolley to take you from the South Pole (South Clintonville) to the North Pole (North Clintonville), it was an unforgettable experience.
We know you couldn’t walk past Mozart’s Bakery without grabbing a marzipan peach or pass up the nostalgic sweets at Colonial Candy.
There was truly something for every palate and budget during Holidayville!
The “Grazing” Myth
One of the biggest myths during the holidays and throughout the year is that it’s ok to “graze,” enjoying sweet treats a little at a time over the course of several hours. The truth is that it’s the amount of sugar that matters, not the frequency. In other words, eating small sugary snacks over time or sipping on sweet drinks is worse than just eating or drinking something all at once.
Here’s why:
- The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and produce acid. This acid erodes your tooth enamel.
- Your saliva washes away these sugars, enabling repair and remineralization of your tooth enamel.
- Grazing over an extended period prevents your saliva from doing its job. According to research from the University of Rochester Medical Center, your mouth needs 20 minutes to neutralize acid. So, when you graze, your teeth are under attack for hours instead of just a few minutes.
- If you eat sugar in one sitting, even if it’s a large amount of sugar, it gives your teeth a much-needed break.
Our advice is to go ahead and eat the cookie from Pattycake Bakery, but it’s best to enjoy it with your meal instead of sometime later. It’s the frequent snacking on it over a long period that can cause cavities.
The “Stress Jaw” Reality
Although the holiday season is often considered the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also the busiest and most stressful for many people. There are pies and other treats to make, gifts to wrap, and programs to attend.
Because there’s so much to do, you might wake up with headaches or jaw pain, but instead of thinking it’s a sinus infection or just the cold weather, it could be teeth grinding triggered by the holiday stress of shopping and hosting family members.
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common dental condition that can lead to several dental issues, including the following:
- Tooth wear
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Tooth sensitivity
- Chipped or fractured teeth
According to an American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy survey, more than 70% of the dentists surveyed said that they are seeing more and more patients with teeth grinding and clenching issues, and these issues are often linked to stress.
Therefore, it only makes sense that teeth grinding incidents could be higher during the holidays.
The “Emergency” Plan: What to Do When the Unexpected Happens
Dental emergencies can happen at the most inopportune moment, and it’s scary and confusing when you don’t know what to do or who to call. We recommend saving our emergency number in your phone now so you’ll have it ready if you need emergency dental care.
If your holiday fun gets ruined by a cracked tooth or other dental emergency, here’s what you can do, even if it’s after hours or our office is closed:
- Cracked tooth — If you bite down on a hard candy and crack your tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water. Try to save any pieces that break off, and contact our office for the next steps.
- Knocked-out tooth — For a tooth that has been completely knocked out, try to reinsert it without touching the tooth’s roots. If that doesn’t work, store it inside your cheek or a glass of milk. Call us immediately, as time is critical.
- Severe toothache — When tooth pain makes it impossible to sleep or enjoy the holidays, use a cold compress and take over-the-counter pain relievers. If this doesn’t alleviate the pain, you could have an infection, so call us right away.
- Lost filling or crown — If you lose a dental restoration, try to keep bacteria from entering by placing dental cement or sugarless gum over the area. Still, you need to contact us for an appointment to avoid further issues.
- Soft tissue injury — For an injury to your lips, tongue, or gums, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply an ice pack to reduce the swelling. Use pressure to stop any minor bleeding, but if you’re bleeding heavily, go to the nearest emergency room.
Want to Learn More About Maintaining Your Oral Health in Clintonville, OH?
If you would like to talk with us about keeping your teeth and gums healthy through the holiday season and into the new year, our team is here to help. Shiflett Family Dental is conveniently located near the Ohio State University campus, making it easy for students, staff, and local residents to get the care they need. We look forward to supporting your long term oral health.
To schedule a consultation or appointment, please get in touch with our dental office at (614) 364-4919. We look forward to hearing from you!