12 Days of Holiday Dental Tips

The holidays are here, which means plenty of quality family time, seeing old friends, and indulging in sugary treats. One of those things, however, is seriously detrimental to your oral health. If you want to learn how to avoid getting cavities or gum disease this holiday season, read this post where we’ve outlined twelve days of holiday dental tips.  

1. Be Careful of Candy Canes

Hard treats like candy canes and peppermint bark are abundant this time of year. If you bite down on them too forcefully, however, you can chip or break your teeth. It’s better to let these candies slowly dissolve in your mouth, as long as you brush afterwards!

2. Take It Easy on the Soda

Soda is incredibly acidic. Even if you opt for the sugar-free variety, your tooth enamel will still get eroded from the acid. If you just can’t pass up the soda, sip it through a straw to keep most of the acid off your teeth.

3. Watch the Wine

Red wine is famous for staining your pearly whites. Drink it with food to mitigate just how much of it gets on your teeth.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Indulge in Turkey

Turkey is a great source of protein and phosphorous – both of which can strengthen your teeth and help your body fight off tooth decay.

5. Choose Mouth-Healthy Stocking Stuffers

Parents often fill their children’s stocking with sugary treats that can result in painful cavities. Consider instead gifting your child a new toothbrush or sugar-free chewing gum.

6. Eat Plenty of Veggies

The next time you’re at a holiday party, skip the sugar-filled treats and stock up on fresh vegetables instead. Carrots and broccoli are particularly great since they contain vitamin A, which fortifies your enamel.

7. Chow Down on Cheese

If you’re going to indulge in soda or alcoholic beverages, snack on cheese as well. The pH level in the cheese will neutralize the acids in the drinks you just consumed, minimizing damage to your enamel.

8. Carol While You Clean

Ideally, you should brush your teeth for two minutes at a time, which is about the length of many old-timey holiday carols. Hum your favorite while you clean your teeth, gums, and tongue.

9. Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

As tempted as you might be to rip open a present with your teeth, don’t do it. You could break your tooth or yank out dental restorations like fillings and crowns. Use your hands instead.

10. Fill Up on Fruit

If you’re planning a holiday meal or party, lay out plates of fruit instead of sugary snacks. It will satisfy everyone’s sugar cravings while not being as likely to cause cavities.

11. Avoid Grazing

During the holidays, we often lay out trays of items like cookies and candies and snack on them throughout the day and night. Constantly exposing your teeth to food increases your chances of developing tooth decay. Instead, lay out the food only at mealtimes.

12. See Your Dentist

With all the chances to damage your pearly whites, this time of year is perfect to see your dentist for one of your biannual appointments. You can get your teeth professional cleaned and shined so they’ll sparkle for family holiday photos!

About the Author

Dr. Jon Davidson obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. In addition, he has undergone advanced training in dental implants. If you knock out a tooth over the holiday season, he can replace it himself. Contact his practice, Dental Dynamics in Skokie, IL, here.