I love this time of year, and it’s not just because I finally get to enjoy cold air that I don’t have to pay for! I’ve always enjoyed Christmas and now that my boys are a little older and have a better understanding of what’s going on, the holidays are a lot of fun.
But it’s not without stress! And stress comes from many angles this time of year. What we eat typically changes. I know around our office there are sugary goodies floating around that aren’t typically in the break room, and it’s easy to grab a bite here or a nibble there. Alcohol consumption goes up (according to a 2015 study by Kaiser Permanente) this time of year. We typically have more parties and functions to attend, and getting together with family always involves food – we are out of our normal routine and that can tax our bodies.
Stress is typically higher this time of year. Again for various reasons, but between traveling, families, throwing elbows for the 60{ee376a2858ef91af396621f125ae2fcd7e0656242e7447a50373eb9ce131a167} off flat screen or the last Hatchimal in existence, finding the perfect ugly Christmas sweater, juggling your normal everyday with Christmas programs and end of year parties….it all adds up.
And, just to make matters more fun, there are the bugs that float around this time of year. So our bodies are already taxed by over indulging and stress, let’s throw in an upper respiratory infection or the flu!
So at this point I know you’re wondering, what does all of this mean from a dental perspective? And basically it means it’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves during this time of year. When we’re stretched thin we can take that stress out on our teeth by grinding and clenching. Sinus infections can include toothache like symptoms. When we get home from that party with that holiday buzz still present, it’s easy to crash in the bed and not brush. That pick-up game of football with our high school buddies can lead to a broken tooth (you never know when an NFL scout might be watching!)
So make an effort to keep up with your daily hygiene. Try to keep the stress at a minimum. If you have a tooth bothering you let your Dentist check it out and rule out an infection.
All of us at Waco Family Dentistry hope you and your family have a happy and safe holiday and look forward to seeing you in 2017!
