5 Dental Tips for the Holiday Season

The winter holidays are finally here! This is the time of year when we gather with friends and family in celebration and enjoy delicious foods. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Yule, protecting your teeth from the barrage of holiday sweets and beverages will make for a happier “dental” New Year! In this post, a Midtown Miami, FL dentist offers some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy and strong over the holiday season. 

Tip #1 – Event Planning

While tradition has us arranging our holiday events around food, this takes a toll on your teeth and your waistline. Instead, consider adding a little more structure to get-togethers with friends and family by scheduling “holiday” board game nights or movie marathons.

Tip #2 – Sugary Beverages

There’s no shortage of sugary beverages, like soda and sweetened coffee drinks this season. And as thirst-quenching and delicious as they may be, too much sugar will eat away at your tooth enamel, which will leave the door wide open for cavities to form. Try substituting some fizzy water instead. But if you just can’t resist your favorite drinks, use a straw so most of the sugar stays clear of your teeth.

Tip #3 – Treats

As much as the kids love finding candy and all sorts of sweet treats in their Christmas stockings, try limiting it this year to one or two treats since candy wreaks havoc on their teeth. This is especially true for candy canes, which not only rot teeth but may also chip or crack teeth if you bite down on them the wrong way.

Tip #4 – Wine

Wine will likely be flowing this holiday season. If you like red wine, remember that red is notorious for staining teeth. To protect your smile, consider switching to white, or at the very least, only drink red wine when you’re eating to reduce the amount of red that makes contact with your teeth.

Tip #5 – Turkey

Unlike the other items on this tip list, turkey is actually good for your teeth. Turkey contains lots of protein and phosphorous, which help keep your teeth strong, and also help fight off tooth decay.  

Along with eating right this holiday season, remember to brush and floss your teeth daily. Also, keeping your regular dental checkups will help you catch dental problems sooner rather than later. If you want more information on dental care tips for the holidays or wish to schedule an appointment, feel free to call your Midtown Miami, FL dentist today!

Season’s Greetings to all!