Holiday Guide to Dental Care
Check out the holiday guide to total health dental care this holiday season and get a few tips and tricks from our friendly family dentists!
Table of Contents
How to Keep on Top of Dental Health During the Holidays?
The smart approach to total health dental care during the holidays is not to slip up. If anything, you’ll want to stay on top of your dental care now more than ever. We all indulge in delicious sweet treats and rich foods for the holidays. People tend to increase the sugary carbonated drinks, soda, alcohol, baked goods, and desserts they eat, so cleaning your teeth between indulgences is pretty important.
Smart dental healthcare associates can give you a few tips and tricks to keep you smiling bright as the holiday cheer this year. For starters, did you know that you could schedule a post-holiday check-up and dental cleaning? Why wait and wonder when you can prevent any problems caused by candy canes and cookies?
The holidays are not the time to fall behind on your dental care. The best advice any dentist can give you is to keep up with your routine preventative dental maintenance, especially brushing teeth, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash. We realize it may not be possible to brush your teeth at an office holiday party or at the in-law’s house, but you could bring a small bottle of mouthwash and some dental floss or floss picks to floss with between meals.
This next tip should go without saying, but nevertheless, all dental offices still seem to see patients who have chipped their teeth opening a bottle of their beverage of choice over the holidays. Tip number 2 here is, to get a can opener and use it. Your teeth are not made to pry open bottles of holiday spirits—it can do some serious damage, the most common being a chipped tooth. So, this year, take our word for it; otherwise, the holiday song lyrics “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” could take on a whole new meaning for you.
Accidents happen, and schedules are tougher during the holidays. If you need more immediate help, you can always google urgent dental care near me or call your dentist’s office. Do You Need an Emergency Dentist? If you’re unsure if it’s truly a dental emergency, check out our emergency dentist article here, call our dental team, or call 911.
Smile, dental care professionals are here to help you look your best for your holiday card photo or see family for the first time in a while. Just make sure to follow the simple tips we’ve given you— keep up with oral hygiene routines, try not to chip your teeth, go easy on the sugary sweets if you can help it, and pack a to-go tooth cleaning kit. You’ll be glad you did.
As always, check out our other content that can help you take great care of your mouth, and be sure to schedule a check up with your dentist soon.
Helpful Articles on Oral Care
- Guide to holiday dental care
- How to clean retainers
- How to stop grinding teeth
- The best way to floss your teeth
- Flossing with Braces
- Pregnancy and the importance of oral care
Happy holidays from our team!
Dental Health During the Holidays FAQs
You can enjoy holiday sweets without damaging your teeth by indulging in moderation and choosing less harmful options like dark chocolate, which doesn’t stick to your teeth as much as sticky or chewy candies. Make sure to drink water after eating sweets to rinse away sugar, and brush and floss soon after to remove any remaining particles. Staying consistent with your dental routine during the holidays helps prevent plaque buildup and tooth decay.
To prevent tooth sensitivity when enjoying hot or cold holiday drinks, use toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth, which helps strengthen enamel and reduce discomfort. Try sipping through a straw to limit direct contact with sensitive areas, and avoid overly acidic or sugary drinks that can worsen sensitivity. Additionally, keeping up with regular brushing and flossing helps protect your teeth and maintain healthy enamel, reducing the likelihood of pain from temperature changes.
To keep your dental routine on track during holiday events and travel, pack a travel-sized dental kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss so it’s easy to maintain your routine wherever you go. Set reminders on your phone to brush and floss, especially on busy days. If you indulge in sweets or sticky foods at gatherings, rinse with water afterward and brush as soon as possible. Staying consistent, even on the go, helps prevent dental issues during the holiday season.