The holiday season truly is the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also a hectic time when your dental hygiene might take a backseat to late night shopping and holiday parties. We have a few tips to make surviving the holiday season a little easier.
- Avoid Excessive Bleaching & Whitening. Sure you might want to brighten your smile for holiday events, but don’t over-use whitening products or you might be in pain (and not showing off your smile at all). If you aren’t sure about the best whitening methods, ask your dentist for some advice.
- Cut Back on the Red Wine. Drinking a little red wine can be good for your health, but too much can also be bad for your teeth. Red wine stains more than just carpets & sweaters, as it can cause teeth stains as well. If you are drinking wine, try to pair it with food to reduce the staining effects.
- Go Easy on the Peppermint Candy. Candy canes and other hard candies can cause damage to your teeth if you bite down on them. Play it safe and slowly let it dissolve in your mouth.
- Limit Your Soda: Soda is acidic, which is a problem for your teeth. Pay attention to your soda intake, especially because many common drink mixers are sodas. If you are going to be sipping on a soda, use a straw to protect your teeth from acid damage.
- Use Scissors for Ribbons & Gifts: If you can’t open a gift or a package with your hands then resort to using scissors. Do not use your teeth!
The best thing to do is pay attention to the food you are eating this holiday season. Sometimes we get so distracted that it’s hard to pay attention to our decision. The good news is some foods, like cheeses and turkey, can actually be good for your teeth.
Wishing all of our patients a happy holiday!