Key Takeaways

  • Holiday treats contain sugar and acid, which both increase your risk of cavities.
  • Keep up with your brushing and flossing routine even while traveling or celebrating.
  • Drink plenty of water to rinse away food particles and neutralize acids.
  • Be careful when eating hard candies and crunchy snacks that can crack or chip your teeth.
  • Pack a dental travel kit for holiday trips.
  • Try not to graze on snacks throughout the day so your mouth can have time to recover between meals.

Celebration: this is what the holiday season is all about. From parties with co-workers to dinners with friends to gathering with family, tis the season to enjoy festive meals and holiday treats. That said, your oral care can take a hit during the holidays because you’re so busy entertaining, shopping, and reuniting.

Even people with the most disciplined dental habits can be sidelined by sugary desserts, sticky snacks, and late-night festivities. Here are some tips on how to maintain a healthy, happy smile even in the midst of the holiday chaos. It starts with attending regular dental cleanings in Berkeley CA. It’s never too late to do this, even if you’re a new patient!

Stay Hydrated

The first rule of keeping your oral care at optimal levels is staying hydrated. Not only is this good for your overall physical health, rinsing with water regularly can keep sugars and acids from harming your teeth. So when you can’t brush and floss, at least rinse with water. This:

  • Gets rid of leftover food and sugar
  • Prevents dry mouth, and by extension, bad breath and decay
  • Keeps your enamel strong by balancing the pH in your mouth

If you love a good glass of wine, soda, or hot cocoa during the holidays, rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce the risk of acidity and staining.

Consume Sugar in Moderation

From candy canes to homemade fudge, sugary treats are a hallmark of the season. It’s OK to indulge in these treats in moderation, but be aware of what sugar does to your teeth.

  • When you consume sugar, the bacteria in your mouth feed on it.
  • This starts to produce acids that wear down your enamel and increase your risk of cavities.
  • The longer sugar stays on your teeth, the greater the risk.

Try not to graze on sweets all day long. If you are going to partake in pumpkin pie or chocolates, do so after a meal, then brush and floss.

Pull Back on Acidic, Staining Drinks

Red wine…cranberry juice…mulled cider…soda: these typical holiday beverages are certainly yummy but they can be acidic and may stain your teeth. Plus, they can weaken enamel and dull your smile if you’re not careful.  Be sure to:

  • Drink water between sips of these beverages.
  • Use a straw so the beverage doesn’t have direct contact with your teeth.
  • Wait a half hour before brushing after consuming acidic drinks, as this can damage weak enamel.

Stay Away From These Culprits

The last thing you need at the holidays is to schedule an emergency visit to the dentist due to a cracked or chipped tooth. Be careful when consuming:

  • Hard candies (butterscotch, peppermints): These can chip or crack teeth.
  • Sticky treats (caramel, toffee): These cling to teeth and stick around.
  • Nuts in the shell: Use a nutcracker, not your teeth, to break them open.
  • Popcorn: Unpopped kernels damage fillings or fracture teeth.

Pack a Travel Dental Care Kit

If you travel a lot over the holidays but still want to maintain your oral care routine, pack a kit filled with the essentials, such as:

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

While away, keep up with your regular routine: brush twice a day, floss once a day, and strengthen enamel with fluoride toothpaste.

Manage Stress, Protect Your Smile

The holidays are a fun, joyful time for many, but they come with their share of stress. Stress can show itself in ways you’re not even aware of, such as teeth grinding (bruxism), clenching your jaw, or neglecting your hygiene routine.

You can reduce oral health impacts related to stress by:

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

Mental and physical health are equally important – especially during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

This holiday season, don’t let your oral health take a back seat. By keeping up with some simple habits, being mindful of what you put in your mouth, and attending regular cleanings, you can do your part to protect your smile for the year ahead.