For some, candied yams are a holiday staple. For others, it’s fish. Whether it’s the thick, delicious marshmallow and brown sugar, or the kick of tartar sauce, it simply melts in your mouth, leaving you feeling satisfied. As you kick back to enjoy the holiday festivities, probably the last thing on your mind is tartar. Yes, we said it, tartar. 

In between the holiday cookies, cakes and other delicacies, it’s easy to fall into a food coma and even forget to brush! Unfortunately, tartar and unhealthy bacteria have no shame and just love all of those sugary sweet holiday treats. 

Avoiding tartar buildup is the hallmark of a healthy mouth, but with all of the holiday fun, how do you avoid it? 

Read on to learn what tartar is, how it affects your oral health and what you can do about it. 

What is Tartar?

Have you ever run your tongue across your teeth and felt that sticky film? Everyone has some level of bacteria in their mouth. It’s this bacteria that mixes with proteins and sugar in food to create that sticky film, also known as plaque. Plaque buildup coats your teeth and can even get under the gumline. Thankfully, proper brushing and flossing helps to remove most of it. However, during the holidays, you may feel lazy and even skip brushing. In turn, the plaque can harden on your teeth, making it difficult to remove. 

Five Ways to Keep Tartar in the Sauce

Yes, you read that right. We said sauce. Tartar belongs in that delicious sauce you dip your fish sticks in, not in your mouth. Not that we think you eat fish sticks for the holidays, but if you do, we get it. With that said, check out the five ways you can keep the tartar where it belongs during this holiday season: 

• Don’t skip brushing. A quick 35-second brush just won’t do. Always aim for two minutes of brush time. 
• Gift yourself an electronic toothbrush. Manual brushes work well, but electronic work better at removing plaque. 
• Look for tartar-control toothpaste with fluoride. Not only do they help to These can help prevent the plaque, but the fluoride helps replenish necessary minerals to your teeth.
• Limit sugary and starchy foods. Although it may be difficult, limit how many times you reach for the holiday goodies. 
• If you smoke, now’s the perfect time to stop. Studies indicate that smokers are more likely to have tartar buildup. 

So, after the holiday madness ends, why not schedule a new year’s appointment with our Mesa AZ dentist and kick off the year with pearly whites? Call us today for more information about proper oral hygiene not only during the holidays but all year long!