Four Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy During the Holidays

The holiday season is almost here, which leaves many of us daydreaming about parties, festive sweets and the occasional holiday cocktail. It's also around this jovial time of year when healthy routines like oral health habits begin to take a backseat to holiday cheer.

For example, it is easy to get off schedule when it comes to flossing and brushing after meals, especially if you’re on the go. Another problem is the fact that during the holidays we consume significantly more sugar than we do any other time of the year, which can be bad for our teeth. But even with regular flossing and brushing, your teeth could still be at risk for a major holiday dental faux pas. To help you better prepare this season, we’ve put together a list of our best dental tips to get you and your smile through the holidays.

Get Rid of Wine Stains on Your Teeth.

While this is not the worst problem to have, wine-stained teeth can become an issue when it’s time to greet your holiday guests, or even when you pose for that family group photo. One surprisingly effective way to remove wine stains from your teeth is to eat cheese. As it turns out, cheese is not just delicious. It's also a great cleaning agent for your teeth. Cheese cleans your teeth by closing micro-pores which can keep wine from sticking and staining. If you have an allergy to cheese, try opting for white wine instead.

Drink More Water.

There is nothing worse than being stuck talking to someone who has offensive breath. It’s even worse if the offender happens to be you. In order to have the freshest breath possible, make sure you’re balancing out eating those delicious holiday hors d'oeuvres by drinking plenty of water. If you can, try to drink at least six to eight glasses a day. Drinking water helps wash away bacteria and food particles from your mouth that could be causing bad breath. If you feel like water isn’t doing the trick, try chewing on gum as it stimulates saliva production in your mouth.

Use Caution When Drinking Hot or Cold Liquids

One of the best things about the holidays is getting to drink libations like apple cider, hot buttered rum and the occasional spiked eggnog. While these boozy beverages may be tasty, they can also be painful to those with tooth sensitivity. Tooth sensitivity happens when the layer of your teeth called dentin becomes exposed. Dentin is composed of tiny tubules which are all connected to nerve endings. Essentially when dentin becomes exposed, your teeth are at a higher risk for sensitivity. If you fall into the sensitive teeth category, be extra mindful about the temperature of any liquids you might consume.

Carry an Emergency Dental Kit.

It’s always a good idea to carry a small emergency dental kit with you. This can be especially helpful during times when you’re bouncing from one holiday festivity to the other and don’t have time to brush properly. Try to include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and toothpicks. Having these items in your arsenal will help you be prepared for any holiday photo or event.

Article by: Cassidy Rush