May Your Smile Be Merry & Bright!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but be sure to be mindful because some of our favorite annual traditions may not be so wonderful for our teeth. Don’t give your chompers the hygienic equivalent of a lump of coal this year. Instead, offer them some tidings of comfort and joy, and keep them looking great heading into the new year! 

Drink Those Holiday Drinks With Caution

With holiday parties come drinks galore. Whether you’re going straight for the spiked eggnog, B-lining it for the booze or grabbing a soda to sip on, try to think before you drink. Dreaming of a White Christmas? You might want to color-coordinate your wine choices accordingly. An evening of dark wine can leave your teeth and lips looking purple all night, and that red wine hue can take a toll on your teeth after the party’s over. 

Skipping the alcohol this holiday season? Instead of substituting soda, try carbonated water. Adding some fruit to your fizzy drink tastes good and is far less harmful for your teeth. And if you’re really craving that caffeinated carbonation, try sipping through a straw – it helps keeps some of the acid off of your teeth.

Your Teeth Aren’t Tools

We’ve all been there – sometimes, it just feels more convenient to use your teeth than a more appropriate (not attached to your face) tool. The need to open a stubborn present, rip a tag off a new clothing item or open a bottle may lead you to believe that your teeth are stronger than they are. Not only might you crack or chip a tooth, you’re risking your enamel being scraped away as well. Keep the scissors, bottle opener and whatever other tools you may need handy this holiday season! Your teeth deserve a break, too.

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth

Holiday season means dessert season. If you’re hosting a party, try substituting one of the million dessert plates by giving fruit a chance instead. Fruit can help satisfy the sweet tooth – just like a cookie or those unbelievable no-bakes – while offering a little nutrition and ruffage along the way. It’s easy to eat a pan of brownies, but the task becomes increasingly more difficult when you’re picking at pears, apples and pineapple along the way! 

Want to take it to the next step? Vegetables may not be everyone’s go-to tray, but bringing some greens to the table means you’re getting a bunch of Vitamin A when you grab a plate full of broccoli and carrots! The vitamins strengthen your enamel, while the ruffage can help clear some of the sticky debris left behind by other holiday delights. Plus: You never know who may be starting their New Years’ resolution a little earlier. 

Nibbling those seasonal sweets isn’t the end of the world – enjoy yourself this holiday season, but invite some fruit and veggies to the party as another dental-positive option. 

Clean (Not Sweet) Stocking Stuffers

Resist the urge to go the super-sweet route when it comes to stocking stuffers! Sticky sweets aren’t the best option for your teeth, and they’re often around a lot more throughout the holiday season if easily accessible. And if you are dropping some sweetness into the stocking, consider more chocolate-based goodies, as these treats are often cited as the best types of candies. 

This year, complement those stocking stuffers with a fancy new toothbrush, toothpaste and floss – admittedly, they may not be everyone’s first choice for “best stocking stuffer,” but hey! It’s truly the thought that counts – and you’re thinking ahead on behalf of your loved ones. It’s recommended that you change your toothbrush every three to four months, so start the new year with fresh new bristles! 

Don’t Break From Tradition

Your teeth have kept you on the “Nice List” all year thanks to your dedication to cleanliness and proactive protection against cavities. While temptations to slip off into slumber right when the party’s over may rise, taking a few minutes to scrub those teeth on Christmas Eve will totally be worth it! 

Stay Ahead When The New Year Arrives

The holidays are usually a fun and memorable chapter, but time always marches forward once they’re over. When the new year arrives, make it one of your first priorities to schedule a cleaning appointment so your teeth are ready to go for the new year, just like you are. Need a new year’s resolution? Remember to brush twice a day and floss once a day!

No matter what you celebrate this time of the year, we wish you a very happy holiday!