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The holiday season is filled with treats, sweets, and goodies. While delicious, these sweet treats aren’t good for our teeth. Sticky candies, sugary cookies, and decadent desserts all contain ingredients that can damage our smile. Here are some things you should do to keep your teeth healthy during Christmas.

Brush and Floss Regularly

It’s tempting to slack off with your oral hygiene habits over the holidays, but it’s important to remember that neglecting your teeth and gums will actually increase your risk of tooth decay. Make sure to brush after meals, floss at least once a day, and avoid rinsing with water immediately after brushing if possible. (This can wash away the protective fluoride in your toothpaste!) There are many delicious holiday foods that are good for your oral health, including dark chocolate, which is high in antioxidants. Be sure to avoid sticky, sugary sweets that are apt to linger on your teeth or get stuck in between them. If you’re traveling for the holidays, make sure you pack the essentials to keep your smile clean, like a soft-bristled toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste, either a manual or electric model.

Avoid Snacking Between Meals

With all of the holiday parties and family gatherings, it’s easy to snack throughout the day. Unfortunately, this can lead to cavities and gum disease. Snacking increases your exposure to cavity-causing bacteria, and sugars in snacks can also feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. If you must eat in between meals, choose healthy foods that require a lot of chewing to help to clean your teeth. Foods such as carrots and apples are healthy choices because they are high in fiber and water. They also contain vitamins and minerals that benefit your oral health. Another tip is to rinse your mouth with water after you eat a snack, so that food particles do not linger on your teeth. 

Consider Having Teeth Whitened

Having whiter teeth can help your smile look its best for the holiday season. If you’re interested in whitening your teeth, contact our office today! We offer both in-office and take-home options that can brighten your smile by several shades in just one visit or with daily treatments. We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, dazzling smile this holiday season! 

Use Caution When Chewing Hard Foods

Over-chewing foods such as ice, popcorn kernels, and beef jerky can break your teeth or cause existing fillings or crowns to fall out. Use caution when eating all of your favorite holiday treats. Also, remember to brush your teeth after mealtimes in order to remove any extra food particles stuck in your teeth. Keep a close eye on children to ensure they aren’t using their teeth as tools to open packages or rip apart wrapping paper.

Don’t forget that chocolate is off-limits for Santa this year! Dark chocolate is especially harmful because it’s high in sugar, which can cause tooth decay.

Visit us at Paradise Family Dental, 4900 Paradise Way, Suite 104, West Richland, WA 99353, to learn more about our dental procedures. Call us at (509) 581-0626 to book an appointment.