New Year is a festival full of festivities and joy, and food and sweets are undoubtedly one of the main characters of this period. However, while enjoying the food, we should also pay attention to our oral health. Especially during the busy festive season, don’t neglect your daily oral care. In this article, we will provide you with oral science knowledge during the New Year to help you maintain your oral health in the new year.
I. Oral hygiene precautions during the New Year period
1.Brush your teeth in time after eating candy
Candies and sweets are everywhere during the New Year, but these New Year treats are often tasty food for the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Sugar breaks down in the mouth and produces acid, which destroys the protective effect of the enamel layer of the teeth. Combined with the attack of bacteria, tooth decay comes to your doorstep. Therefore, after eating candies and sweets, it is recommended to brush your teeth promptly to remove sugar from your mouth and keep it clean. In addition, the protective layer of children’s milk teeth is weaker than that of permanent teeth, but children’s love for candies is irresistible. Parents should also control their candy intake to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
2.Develop the habit of gargling
After meals or snacks, it is recommended to develop the habit of rinsing the mouth. Rinsing with water can help remove food debris from the mouth and reduce the chance of bacteria growth. During Chinese New Year, people often gather at restaurants or travel abroad, so rinsing is more convenient than brushing your teeth. You can use dispensed mouthwash to assist in oral cleansing and improve the effectiveness of oral care.
3.Don’t forget to brush your teeth in the morning and evening even during vacation.
The pace of life may change during a long vacation, but no matter what, we have to maintain good oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth at least once a day, in the morning and evening, for no less than 2 minutes each time, to ensure that the plaque and food debris in the mouth are thoroughly removed. Parents should also supervise children’s morning and evening brushing during Chinese New Year. For younger children, parents can help them brush their teeth to ensure a clean mouth.
4.Use floss correctly in addition to brushing teeth
Flossing is also an important way to keep your mouth clean. Flossing removes food debris and plaque from the crevices of the teeth that a toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing is very beneficial during the New Year, especially when enjoying fiber-rich foods such as meats and vegetables, which tend to get stuck in between your teeth.
5.Limit intake of carbonated and sugary drinks
Carbonated and sugary drinks (milk tea, fruit juices, etc.) contain a lot of sugar and acid, and excessive intake of these drinks can lead to tooth decay and tooth sensitivity. Try to limit the intake of such beverages during the New Year. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and clean during the dry weather during Chinese New Year.
6.Moderate alcohol consumption
Alcoholic beverages may become an essential part of New Year’s parties. However, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to problems such as dry mouth, gingivitis and damage to the oral mucosa. Drinking alcohol in moderation is better for oral health. In addition, smoking can lead to problems such as yellowing of teeth, bad breath and periodontal disease. In order to maintain oral health, it is recommended to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, and to develop good living habits.
7.Concern about dental trauma in children
During the New Year, children’s sports often increase, and it is important to pay attention to children’s dental trauma, if the incisors are knocked bleeding or knocked off, it is necessary to register for emergency dental treatment. In addition, completely dislodged permanent teeth soaked in milk or contained in the mouth to come to the hospital as soon as possible to deal with, may be able to retain the activity of the dental pulp, do not use tap water to rinse repeatedly, do not let the teeth become dry.
8.Orthodontic New Year’s Tips
If you or your child is wearing steel braces, be careful not to bite too hard food during Chinese New Year, or the brackets (the small squares that stick to the teeth) may fall out. In case of emergency, if you have a small wire or bracket smacking in your mouth, you can use orthodontic protective wax or chewing gum to fix it; if the wire slides and smacks, you can try to restore it with tweezers or cut it short at the end and make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to take care of it. If you are wearing invisible braces, be careful to bring the case with you when you go out for dinner or traveling to avoid losing your napkin-wrapped braces, and if you lose them, ask your doctor if you can wear the next one.
II. Suggestions for New Year’s diet
1.Maintain a balanced diet
Various cuisines during the New Year often lead to imbalance in diet structure. In order to maintain oral health and general health, it is recommended to maintain a balanced diet during the festive season, with a reasonable mix of protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber and other nutrients, to ensure that the body receives adequate nutrition.
2.Eat more calcium-rich foods
Calcium is an important component of teeth and alveolar bone, and consuming enough calcium is essential for maintaining dental health. It is recommended to eat more calcium-rich foods such as milk, yogurt, tofu and sesame seeds during the New Year.
3.Consume foods containing vitamin C
Vitamin C helps in the repair and maintenance of gum tissues. Deficiency of vitamin C can easily lead to bleeding gums and periodontal disease. During the New Year, consume more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries as well as tomatoes and kale.
4.Eat nuts in moderation
Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc., rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and other nutrients, for the teeth and periodontal tissues have a certain health effects. However, it should be noted that nuts are high in calories and should be consumed in moderation. If you have loose teeth discomfort, should not be high melon seeds or chewing too hard nuts.
In conclusion, during the New Year, we should pay attention to oral health, develop good oral hygiene habits, rationalize our diet, quit smoking and limit alcohol, pay attention to children’s oral health and so on. If you have tooth pain, swollen gums, dental trauma, etc., you should consult a doctor in time to avoid delays.