Top 10 Dental Tips For the Holidays
A bright and confident smile is essential during holiday time. You’ll be meeting and greeting friends and loved ones and making appearances in countless photos and videos. Here are our top ten holiday dental tips so you can put your best face forward!
Maintain a good oral hygiene routine
It’s easy to forget about your daily oral care during the holidays as you celebrate and stay up late into the night, making holiday magic happen. Do your best to brush and floss twice daily to keep your teeth healthy. Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine is also a simple way to reduce damage caused by holiday treats and drinks, such as sugars and acids.
Schedule your post-holiday cleaning appointments now
Despite all your best intentions and efforts, you will likely not floss or brush or do what you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. One way to keep your smile healthy is to schedule your post-holiday cleaning and check-up now so you can ring in the New Year with clean and cavity-free teeth.
Stay hydrated with plenty of water
Maintaining your water intake will keep your body healthy, help you avoid hangovers, and wash away harmful substances that would otherwise sit on your teeth. Additionally, water can freshen your breath and aid in digestion and elimination. Start your day with a glass of water, and drink water between cups of hot cocoa and wine when you’re out celebrating the season.
Chew cinnamon gum
The main ingredient in cinnamon gum is called cinnamon aldehyde, and it provides the following dental health benefits:
- Locates and destroys cavity-forming bacteria
- Keeps bacteria formation to a minimum in between brushes
- It keeps your breath fresher for longer, which helps during holiday parties
Chewing cinnamon gum in between indulging in holiday treats is an easy and effective way to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh.
Choose light-colored or clear beverages
If you’ve invested in whitening your teeth, it can be disappointing to wake up on New Year’s morning with pale-ish pink teeth. Popular holiday drinks such as red wine and cocktails made with cranberry juice are potent tooth stainers that can quickly undo all of your teeth whitening efforts. To keep your teeth as white as possible through the holiday season, choose light-colored or clear beverages to protect your teeth. When you simply must indulge in something that stains, rinse your mouth with a glass of water afterward.
Pair cheese with your wine
Many of our favorite festive beverages, such as wine, are naturally very acidic, which can eat away our tooth enamel. Cheese is alkaline and naturally neutralizes the acid of wine and other acidic beverages. Pairing cheese with your wine is easy to keep your teeth healthy through the holidays.
Pack a dental go-bag
As we previously mentioned, maintaining a good oral hygiene routine during the holidays is the best way to maintain dental health and appearance. Make this easier on yourself when you’re not in your usual routine by packing a to-go tooth cleaning kit when you’re out celebrating the season. We suggest including the following:
- A travel toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss or flossers
- Mouthwash
Not only will this kit come to the rescue if you get food wedged between your teeth before pictures, but it will help you remember to care for your teeth during this incredibly hectic time of year.
Indulge in teeth-healthy treats
Eating healthy benefits the health of your teeth. Be sure your party snack plate includes the following teeth-health treats:
- Crunchy fruits, such as carrots
- Veggies
- Whole grains
- High-protein foods
- Plenty of water
Balance more indulgent seasonal decadence with these foods to keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright!
Refresh your toothbrush
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should replace your toothbrush every three months. This is because, after ninety days, most soft-bristled toothbrushes become less effective at removing plaque. Treating yourself and your loved ones to a year’s supply of toothbrushes as a holiday gift is a simple way to encourage excellent dental hygiene in the coming year.
Avoid grinding your teeth
Because the holidays can be stressful, you may wake up in the morning with a stiff jaw or mouth pain due to clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. Talk to our doctors about being fitted for Under Armour Performance Mouthwear to prevent clenching your teeth while pivoting the jaw forward for the following improvements:
- Alleviated jaw pressure
- Enlarged airway openings
- Increased oxygen flow in the body
Treat yourself this holiday season, and talk to us about how we can help you avoid grinding your teeth.
Choose Hardin Advanced Dentistry for a holly, jolly smile
Let us help you maintain a beautiful and camera-ready smile this holiday season! An Accredited Fellow by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Tara Hardin represents the pinnacle of both cosmetic and general dentistry. We invite you to experience a new kind of dental office where artistry, skill, and comfort are setting a new standard. We offer dental treatments in a spa-like setting, with amenities and conveniences to make your visit a luxurious treat for the holidays. Our team is committed to providing exceptional cosmetic dentistry in Cincinnati.