Between Thanksgiving and the end of each calendar year, there are several major holidays celebrated by millions of Americans. In addition to gathering with friends and family members for these special days, there’s usually a smorgasbord of delicious food for everyone to enjoy.

From delicious drinks and sweet treats to savory ham and roasted vegetables, it’s important to enjoy these delectable dishes over the holidays. Following these meals, it’s vital for you to also protect your teeth.

The American Dental Association recommends that you should brush your teeth twice per day and for at least two minutes each day.

For occasions where you find yourself eating more sweets or meals than usual, it’s still perfectly fine to stick to your twice per day routine. Iis also possible however to brush your teeth following these holiday meals, to protect your teeth or simply have them feeling cleaner.

Just as you would during your morning and evening teeth cleaning routine, make sure that you wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after eating to brush. This will prevent you from doing any serious damage to your enamel and provide better protection for the rest of the day. Remember, it’s also important to gently brush both sides of your teeth in circular motions and at a 45 degree angle.

How Often Should You Floss Your Teeth?

Flossing your teeth is just as important as brushing your teeth during your daily oral hygiene routine. In fact, keeping dental floss on hand when you attend your holiday meals can be great for hygienic and comfort purposes. After all, who actually enjoys having a piece of food stuck in their teeth for hours on end?

Similar to how often you should brush your teeth, the American Dental Association also recommends that you floss for at least two minutes, twice per day. Doing so can strengthen and protect both your gums and teeth from conditions like periodontal disease.

Knowing how to brush your teeth is typically a no-brainer for most people, but that isn’t always the case with flossing. There’s no need to wait until your next dental appointment to learn how to properly floss your teeth. With a line of dental floss simply wrap enough of it to get a grip around your index fingers, and gently slide the line between each finger between the teeth.

You’ll want to make a slight C-motioned curve when you reach the gumline, and then repeat this step for every single space. This entire process should only take about two to three minutes.

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At Chicago Beautiful Smiles, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional and professional care in general and cosmetic dentistry. Whether you’re visiting us for a routine exam or getting dental veneers, we will do everything we can to help you meet your smile goals.

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