How to Care for Your Teeth During the Holidays

The Holidays are finally here! It is all about Christmas music, decorations, time with loved ones, and an abundance of delicious food! That being said, before you indulge in all your favorite Christmas snacks, make sure you still prioritize the health of your teeth and gums. You can still enjoy the Holidays and yummy food without compromising your white smile!

1-Do Not Overdo it With the Candy

It is pretty common knowledge that excess sugar is bad for your teeth. Sugar eats away at your enamel, which is the hard protective surface of your tooth. Weakened enamel makes your teeth more susceptible to cavities. Be wary of extra sugary temptations such as carbonated soft drinks, sticky, hard, or chewy candy. (Yes- this includes candy canes and mints!) If you do find yourself indulging in sweets, brushing and flossing soon after will limit the amount of bacteria on your teeth.

2-Include Teeth-Healthy Foods During Your Holiday Meals

Healthy teeth and gums do not just happen by chance, they can happen by eating teeth-healthy food! Realistically, you will want to splurge a little with all the holiday activities, so a cookie here and there should not cause much damage. Just make sure to incorporate food that is great for your teeth as well! Snack often on vegetables, especially carrots! 

3-Do Not Use Your Teeth to Shell Nuts

Cracking nutshells is not a job for your teeth. This is actually what nutcrackers were made for! If it goes wrong, cracking your teeth can be a painful and expensive mistake.

4-Do Not Disregard Your Daily Oral Hygiene Routine

Just like the rest of the year, brushing and flossing twice a day is critical for the health of your teeth and gums. It may not be as fun or as exciting as the rest of your holiday activities, and your schedule might not be as regular as usual. However, to best take care of your teeth over the holidays, your oral hygiene must be at the top of your priority list! If you set aside those few extra minutes a day, your teeth and gums will thank you!

5-Chew Sugarless Gum

Chewing gum can have many benefits. For one, it can curb your sugar cravings. Surprisingly enough, there are many sugar-free gum brands to choose from. Cinnamon gum is also worth looking into in regards to tooth health. Cinnamon can open up your salivary glands, which can help your mouth flush out cavity-forming bacteria.

6-Water is Your Best Friend

Drinking water has many health benefits. Not only is it great for your skin and digestive health, water is also great for teeth health! It can wash away fresh bacteria that can lead to cavities. Keeping a water bottle handy during all your meals and snacks will help keep your teeth and gums healthier during the holidays.

7-Don’t Use Your Teeth to Open Presents

Much like using your teeth to open nutshells, using your teeth to open presents can be damaging. Avoid slicing ribbon or tape with your teeth as well.

8-Opt for Lighter-Colored Beverages

Dark-colored sodas, red wine, and juices can be intense tooth stainers. Avoiding darker drinks and opting for lighter or clear drinks can help your teeth stay whiter longer, especially over the holidays!

9-Keep an Extra Teeth-Cleaning Kit

For those mornings that you forget to floss, or when you splurge on a little too much dessert, you can benefit from keeping a to-go tooth cleaning kit. Keeping a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your bag or car will come in handy in case you need to clean your teeth after eating. It is also helpful to easily pick out food that gets stuck in your teeth from holiday meals.

10-Prioritize Dental Checkups with a Dentist Near Me

Did you know that dental check-ups should happen about every six months? If your six-month checkup and cleaning happen to land during the holidays, make sure you make it! 

If you do not have a cleaning scheduled, make sure to call the best “dentist near me.” Make an appointment with Apple Tree Dental for the holidays! Our staff is caring and well-trained. We take care of our patients based on the latest research and the highest levels of quality. Your dental health is important to us!