Uttarayan, also known as Makar Sankranti, is one of the favourite festivals of people in Ahmedabad, in fact, across Gujarat. In different Indian states, this festival is celebrated with different names, but one thing is common everywhere: enjoying hard with some sweet dishes and regional delicacies like Undhiyu, chikki, talpapadi, mamra na ladoo, etc. in Ahmedabad and other cities of Gujarat. People also enjoy seasonal fruits like sugarcane, berries, etc. Enjoying festivals is definitely a must, but taking a toll on your health is not.
Being safe during the festive season is necessary. Not using Chinese thread (Chinese dori), not running behind kites, using sunscreen lotion, etc. are some of the vital health tips, of which we all are aware. But, the most important thing that we overlook is taking care of teeth and oral health. (દાંતો ની સંભાળ એટલી જ મહત્વ ની છે જેટલી શરીરની)
Here are some tips that you can follow to take good care of your teeth during Makar Sankranti.
Eat consciously
We love festive delicacies, don’t we?
There is no need to restrict yourself completely from eating them. It is a festival and you must enjoy it, but it is necessary to be mindful of the portions to keep your teeth healthy. You can avoid eating too much sugar and carbs. You can also avoid drinking soda and similar drinks as they can damage the enamel of your teeth.
Cook healthy
Of course, the ladies of the house want to feed us healthy food to us, but there can be some healthy practices in cooking that can be followed during Uttarayan to keep your teeth protected from damage or decay (દાંતના સડાથી બચો):
- Use jaggery (gud – ગોળ) more than sugar in cooking tal sankadi, ladoo, etc.
- You can use gluten free flour for cooking.
- Prefer eating food like Undhiyu cooked at home instead of getting it from the market as you don’t know what kind of oil and other ingredients they may have used.
- Limit eating jalebi as that can be too sugary and damaging to your teeth.
- You can use coconut milk to prepare kheer with jaggery (gud – ગોળ) instead of sugar as that is a healthier option.
Don’t ignore healthy habits
To keep your teeth healthy during festive seasons like Uttarayan, you must follow the common best practices:
- Brushing your teeth really well at least for 2-4 minutes and twice a day.
- Flossing once a day.
- Stay hydrated.
- Don’t be too harsh on your teeth by trying to open hard canes of bottles or eating too hard sugarcane.
If you feel any kind of pain in your teeth (દાંત નો દુખાવો) or see any tooth decay (દાંત નો સડો), contact one of the best dentists in Ahmedabad. You may not need to rush if the pain is not that severe, but even after the festival, a dental check-up is advisable.
To book your appointment with the best dentist in Ahmedabad, click here.