6 Dental Tips for the Holiday Season

holiday dental tips - family gathered for holiday dinner

6 Dental Tips for the Holiday Season

Do you hear what I hear? Christmas music on the radio means it’s the holiday season once again. While you’re busy gift shopping and party planning, don’t forget to take care of your teeth. Cavities, gum disease, and chipped teeth can ruin the holidays and are much worse than a lump of coal in your stocking. Make sure you keep your smile bright and healthy for the new year by following these dental tips. 

Six Holiday Dental Tips for Healthy Teeth

1: Keep Up a Routine

Although the holidays are busy and exhausting, it’s essential that you maintain a good daily hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily will help you avoid a dental emergency over the holidays. Gargling with mouthwash also helps keep your mouth clean and healthy. 

2: Eat Healthy Foods 

Sugary foods and drinks wreak havoc on your teeth by wearing down your enamel. Sticky candies that take a while to consume like peppermints and candy canes are the worst culprits, so it’s best to avoid them as much as possible. However, you don’t have to cut out all of your holiday favorites. Just limit the amount of hot chocolate, cookies, and other treats you consume, and balance them with healthy foods. 

If you’re looking for something healthy to make for your next holiday party, try a themed vegetable platter. There are many fun ways to arrange fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and crackers, such as making the shape of a Thanksgiving turkey or a Christmas tree. Foods that are packed with fiber, calcium, and vitamin C are the best choices for healthy teeth. 

3: Stay Hydrated

You should also drink water with snacks and meals or whenever you eat or drink a holiday treat. Water washes away food particles from your teeth and hydrates your mouth for better protection. Drinking water also helps you produce enough saliva for your body to naturally rid your mouth of plaque, bacteria, and food all on its own. 

4: Carry a Dental Travel Kit

Travel kits containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss aren’t just for going on long trips. You never know when you may get something caught in your teeth. It’s a good idea to keep a travel kit in your car or your purse so you have it handy at work or at holiday parties. The sooner you can floss to remove food or candy stuck in your teeth, the less time bacteria have to feed off it and cause problems. 

5: Don’t Use Your Teeth to Open Things

As convenient as it may seem to use your teeth as tools, you should only ever use them for eating. Never use your teeth to do things like uncork wine bottles or tear open presents, which can make them chip or crack. Save yourself an extra trip to the dentist by always choosing the right tool for the job. 

6: Schedule Your Next Cleaning

Don’t forget about your biannual teeth cleaning during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Schedule your second appointment of the year as soon as possible, so you can take advantage of your remaining dental insurance benefits. Or, schedule your first appointment for next year before you forget! 

Regular dental cleanings are necessary to rid your mouth of plaque and tartar that you can’t remove at home. Your dentist can also spot any signs of dental issues that need immediate treatment. 

Cosmetic Dentist in Prescott, Arizona

Don’t let a toothache ruin your holidays. Protect your teeth with professional teeth cleanings from Prescott Dentistry. We also offer cosmetic dentistry services, including teeth whitening and Invisalign, that can help transform your smile for the new year. Call 928-445-1660 today to schedule an appointment.  

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/8/2022). Photo by Nicole Michalou on Pexels