Holiday Self-Care Starts with Your Smile: Tips for a Healthy, Happy Season

The holidays are here! They’re full of fun, family, and, yes, maybe a little chaos. Between all the cooking, shopping, and late nights, it’s easy to let your usual routine slip. But your smile? Don’t let it take a backseat. We’ve put together a few quick tips that can keep you grinning straight into the new year.

Outsmart the Sweets
We all dive into holiday cookies and candy. That’s totally fine! It’s not necessarily about skipping them. It’s about when and how you enjoy them.

• Don’t let sugar linger. Sipping that peppermint mocha for an hour or savoring a candy cane all afternoon lets bacteria linger on your teeth. Try to enjoy treats in one go.
• Tag-team with meals. Have dessert right after dinner. The extra saliva produced from eating helps rinse things away.
• Rinse and repeat. After something sweet, swish with water or chew a piece of sugar-free gum. Boom. Saliva to the rescue.

Stress-Proof Your Teeth
The holidays can sometimes crank up the tension, and your jaw might be taking the hit without you even noticing.

• Clenching or grinding? If you wake up with a tight jaw or headache, you might be grinding at night. Ask us if a nightguard might be right for you to prevent enamel wear and tear.
• Skip the ice crunch. Chewing ice or chomping peanut brittle is a fast track to a chipped tooth. Save the crunch for softer stuff.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth are designed for eating, not for everyday chores! When you’re busy wrapping, cooking, or opening boxes, remember to reach for the right equipment, not your mouth. Using your teeth as makeshift tools is a common cause of unexpected cracks and chips during the rush of the season.

• No bottle openers. Never use your teeth to pry off a bottle cap, as this can severely fracture a tooth.
• Keep scissors handy. Avoid ripping tape, tearing plastic packaging, or snipping threads with your front teeth.

Drink Smart, Stay Hydrated
Water isn’t just good for you, it’s your mouth’s best friend.

• Dry mouth alert. Travel, cold air, and holiday beverages can leave your mouth parched. Keep water close and sip all day.
• Go fizz free when you can. Soda (diet included) is packed with acid that wears down enamel. Craving bubbles? Sparkling water could be your new go-to.

Make Time for the Basics
Even when you’re on the road or burning the midnight oil, don’t skip brushing and flossing.

• Pack the essentials. Toss a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in your bag. It takes two seconds and saves a world of hassle.
• Floss and go. All those rich meals mean food gets stuck. One quick floss a day keeps the gunk (and cavities) away.