Key Takeaways

  • Be mindful of eating hard candies and crunchy snacks that can crack or chip your teeth.
  • Holiday treats are filled with sugar and acid, which both increase your risk of cavities.
  • Let your mouth recover between meals by not grazing on snacks throughout the day.
  • Keep up with your brushing and flossing routine even while traveling or celebrating.
  • It’s helpful to pack a dental travel kit for holiday trips.
  • Drink lots of H2O to rinse away food particles and neutralize acids.

Celebrating with friends and family this holiday season? Tis the season to enjoy parties with co-workers, dinners with friends, and formal gatherings with families. Festive meals and holiday treats are a hallmark of the holidays, but that doesn’t mean your oral care should take a hit. Yes, you’re busy entertaining, shopping, and reuniting, but even people with the most disciplined dental habits can fall victim to sugary desserts, sticky snacks, and late-night festivities.

Here’s how to keep up with a healthy, happy smile even in the middle of all the holiday chaos. The first step is to commit to attending regular dental cleanings in Piedmont CA. It’s never too late to do this, even if you’re a new patient or would like a consultation on dental prosthetics.

1.  All Things in Moderation

Sugary treats, from candy canes to homemade fudge, are tempting, and it’s OK to indulge in these treats in moderation. However, educate yourself on what sugar does to your teeth.

  • The longer sugar stays on your teeth, the greater the risk.
  • When eating sugar, the bacteria in your mouth feed on it.
  • This will produce acids that wear down your enamel and boost your risk of cavities.

Grazing on sweets all day long isn’t a wise idea. And if you are going to enjoy the pumpkin pie or chocolates, have those treats after your main meal, then brush and floss.

2.  Keep H2O Handy

Staying hydrated is rule #1 when protecting your teeth. Did you know that rinsing with water regularly can keep sugars and acids from harming your teeth? Sometimes you just can’t brush and floss; that’s when you should rinse with water to:

  • Prevent dry mouth, bad breath, and decay
  • Flush out leftover food and sugar
  • Strengthen your enamel by balancing the pH in your mouth

If wine, soda, or hot cocoa drinks are your favorites during the holidays, rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce staining from the acids.

3.  Leave the Acidic, Staining Drinks

Speaking of which, holiday beverages such as red wine, cranberry juice, mulled cider, and soda contain acids that often stain your teeth. On top of that, they can weaken enamel and dull your smile. You can avoid this by:

  • Drinking water between sips of these beverages.
  • Using a straw so the beverage doesn’t have direct contact with your teeth.
  • Waiting a half hour before brushing after consuming acidic drinks (this may damage weak enamel).

4.  Pack a Travel Dental Care Kit

Do you travel a lot over the holidays? To continue to maintain your oral care routine even when away, pack a kit filled with:

  • Travel-sized mouthwash
  • Toothbrush
  • Dental wax for braces
  • Travel-size fluoride toothpaste
  • Dental floss or floss picks
  • Sugar-free gum
  • Small mirror

Even though it’s the holidays, be sure to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and use fluoride toothpaste.

5.     Say No to Sticky, Hard Treats

No one wants to be faced with scheduling an emergency visit to the dentist due to a cracked or chipped tooth. Take care when consuming:

  1. Popcorn: Unpopped kernels damage fillings or fracture teeth.
  2. Hard candies (butterscotch, peppermints): These can chip or crack teeth.
  3. Sticky treats (caramel, toffee): These cling to teeth.
  4. Nuts in the shell: Use a nutcracker – never your teeth — to break them open.

6.  Keep Your Stress in Check

The holidays can certainly be a joyful time, but they can also be very stressful. This stress can show up in surprising ways you’re not aware of, such as teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching your jaw.

Prevent oral health setbacks related to stress by:

  • Resting and resetting, even for a few minutes each day.
  • Keeping up with your brushing and flossing routine.
  • Using a custom mouthguard at night (fitted by a dentist) if you think you are grinding your teeth.
  • Practicing deep breathing or short meditations throughout the day and before bed.

This holiday season, make your oral health a priority along with all the festivities and shopping. Keep up with simple oral hygiene habits, take time to think about what you’re putting in your mouth, and attend regular cleanings to protect your smile for the year ahead.