8 Great Dental Hygiene Tips for Holiday Meals

The holiday season will soon be upon us, which makes now the perfect time to find out how you can keep your teeth clean during Christmas, Hanukkah and other holiday meals. While you may not have the time to brush your teeth and rinse with mouthwash immediately after eating, you can still use some simple tips to maintain your smile until well after the holiday season passes.

1.  Avoid Caramels and Similar Treats

No matter where you go for dinner this holiday season or who throws parties and other events, you'll likely come across a candy platter sitting out. Before you go to town and sample all the candies on display, think about the effects that caramels and other sticky sweets have on your teeth. Those treats can cause significant damage to the enamel on your teeth. You also risk those sticky candies pulling out your fillings, and some candies can even cause a broken tooth to fracture further or pull the tooth out of your mouth.

2. Choose Healthier Sweets

When you see cookies and other sweets on display, your body instantly beings craving those sweets. Drink a glass of cold water before heading to the dessert table. Doing this fills your stomach and helps you avoid eating more sweet treats. If you still want something sweet, try crunching a few carrots or apple slices first. Those fruits strengthen your teeth and provide your body with the sweet flavor that it craves.

3. Avoid Soda and Wine

Many people do not realize that soda and wine can leave behind dark stains on their teeth. Red wine and soft drinks are very dark and can cause significant staining along the gum line and on the surface of your teeth. Stick to ginger ale, white wine, and other lighter colored drinks. If you do drink wine or a darker substance, brush as soon as possible. You can also rinse your mouth out with warm water and spit the excess to reduce the risk of that drink staining your teeth.

4. Take Dental Supplies with You

Avoid pain and discomfort while traveling during the holiday season with a kit filled with dental supplies. Pack some over-the-counter pain medication, dental floss, a miniature bottle of mouthwash and some gauze or cotton balls. Those supplies help you combat any emergency situation until you can get to a dentist.

5. Carry Disposable Dental Picks

Disposable dental picks come in plain and flavored options. These small tools feature a piece of dental floss on one end and a sharp pick on the opposite end. Put a few in your bag or your pocket and use one to remove anything caught between your teeth. Some people find that they can more easily hold and use a dental pick than they could dental floss.

6. Rinse with Tap Water

Before you brush your teeth at the end of the day, fill a cup with cooler tap water that you use to rinse out your mouth. Make sure that the water gets between your teeth before spitting the excess in your sink. This removes all the food particles and other debris from your mouth and makes brushing more effective. If you have sensitive teeth, you can rinse with warmer water rather than cooler water.

7. Snack on Cheese

While you might think that you can only eat low-fat foods during the holiday season, you can add cheese to your list of holiday snacks. Sticking with cheese like a mozzarella or aged cheddar is a good option because these cheeses have properties that actually neutralize some of the bacteria in your mouth. Those bacteria can eat through the enamel and cause tooth decay. Eating a small wedge of cheese can keep you from overindulging during meal time because it fills your stomach up, too.

8. Follow a Set Routine

Even if your routine changes during the holiday season because you eat later at night or eat several times a day, you should still follow a set routine when it comes to your dental hygiene. Make sure that you brush and use mouthwash in the morning, but do these tasks right before you leave the house instead of before eating breakfast. You'll want to brush, floss and rinse with mouthwash right before climbing into bed at night too. Taking a dental travel set with you lets you brush and floss after eating a heavy meal, too.

Far too many people use the holidays as an excuse to slack off in regards to their dental health. They think that they don't need to brush as often or that they can skip taking care of their teeth before falling asleep. With these tips, you can remind yourself to take care of your teeth during the holiday season and improve your dental and oral health, too.

About the Author

Dr. Marichia Attala is a leading Periodontist in Nassau County Long Island.  Learn more by visiting her website at NassauCountyPeriodontist.com