At Groy Family Dentistry, we believe that each and every one of our patients deserves exceptional service and quality care. This is why we place an immense amount of emphasis on patient education and general dentistry, helping families from Leesburg, VA and nearby communities to achieve and maintain excellent oral health. As 2014 comes to a close and families across America begin gearing up for the busy holiday season, we’d like to take this opportunity to share a few of our best tips for keeping your smile healthy and looking its best, not only in December, but well into the New Year as well.

Holiday Tips to Keep in Mind for Healthy Smiles All Year Round

The holidays bring an entire host of delectable treats to the table, including everything from cookies, crackers, and cakes to eggnog, hot chocolate, and apple cider. Before you begin to prepare your Christmas ham or your Yorkshire pudding this year, take a quick look at some of Groy Family Dentistry’s favorite dental health tips for the holidays.

1. It’s all about moderation. We would never tell you to abstain from your favorite holiday foods, but we do have a useful tip that can help you protect your smile even as you indulge. Many holiday parties feature a buffet-style table full of snacks, inviting guests to graze on goodies as they please throughout the day. It’s important to remember that the frequency with which you eat is just as important as the quality of what you eat. Try to stick to your regular three meals (rather than snacking all day) to avoid inciting a continuous barrage of bacterial damage to your enamel.
2. More cheese, please! If you tend to flock toward the cheese platter at every holiday gathering, we have good news for you. The calcium in dairy products, including cheese and yogurt, can help to strengthen your tooth enamel. In addition, the enzymes in cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and Gouda have been proven to lower the pH of your mouth, thereby reducing your risk of developing cavities.
3. Remember: Acid is the enemy. Plenty of our favorite holiday foods are full of damaging acids, but this doesn’t mean we have to avoid them outright. Popular choices like cranberries, citrus fruits, wine, and cocktails contain acid that is capable of eroding tooth enamel. To mitigate enamel damage, try to sip water throughout your meal, and be sure to wait between 30 minutes and an hour before brushing your teeth. Brushing too soon after eating an acidic meal can actually lead to more harm than good; your tooth enamel is softer right after eating.

General Family Dentistry: Preventive Care for Lifelong Oral Health

Of all the ways you can keep your family’s smiles healthy this holiday season, the most important is a visit to our Leesburg, VA dental office. With a full menu of preventive dentistry services – each of which is tailored specifically to your unique needs – our doctors and experienced team offer everything you need to enjoy optimal oral health for life. Contact us today to schedule your visit at Groy Family Dentistry, and see why families from throughout Leesburg and the surrounding areas trust Dr. David R. Groy and Dr. David S. Groy with the health and beauty of their smiles. Our state-of-the-art office warmly welcomes patients from nearby communities in Ashburn, Purcellville, Hamilton, Lovettsville, Middleburg, and beyond.