Keep your mouth healthy during the holidays

nat rosasco • December 12, 2019

A wooden table topped with gingerbread cookies , cinnamon sticks , star anise and nuts.

The holidays are upon us and there are so many fun family activities and events that are planned during this month. There are family holiday parties, work holiday parties and holiday parties with friends. The only downside to this is that some people do not take into consideration the extra sugary foods and drinks that they are consuming and their dental health suffers as a result. Here are some tips on how to keep your mouth healthy during the holidays.

Stock up on toothbrushes:

There are a lot of nasty viruses going around and the first tip is to make sure you stock up on extra toothbrushes. If you are on an antibiotic, you will want to change your toothbrush once you are 24 hours into your medicine and are no longer contagious. You do not want to recycle the virus back into your mouth. If you are suffering from a cold, you will also want to change your toothbrush once you are feeling better again.

Be mindful of alcohol:

The holidays are about being merry and joyful, but it is important that you consider your alcohol intake. Alcohol is high in sugar and at holiday parties, there are often winter-themed drinks that are extremely high in sugar, such as spiked eggnog. If you are going to partake in an alcoholic beverage, just be sure to either brush your teeth shortly after, or at least wash your mouth out with some water.

Oral health on-the-go:

Another tip is to carry a travel toothbrush and floss with you when you go to a holiday party. There are lots of foods that can easily get caught in your teeth, such as nuts or popcorn, and if you are prepared for this, you will not have to wait until you get home from the party to take care of it. The sooner that you get lodged food out of your teeth, the less likely it is that you will suffer from any dental problems.

Another problem with eating nuts is that some are incredibly hard and it could cause you to crack or chip a tooth. If there is a bowl of mixed nuts, it is very easy for a shell to get mixed in as well, so take caution when you are eating them. The last thing you need during the holiday season is to have emergency dental work.

Sticky foods:

You will also want to avoid or at least limit the amount of sticky foods that you eat. There are often caramels, toffee, raisins, cranberries or other dry fruits offered at holiday gatherings. Although some of these items are not necessarily bad for you, they can be harmful to your teeth. If possible, choose foods that are not as sticky and that are more easily washed away.

Sugarless gum is your friend:

You might also want to keep some sugarless gum on hand that you can chew after eating or drinking at holiday parties. This will help to remove particles from your teeth and might also help you to stop yourself from overindulging.

The holidays are here…enjoy them! Just do not forget to neglect your oral health.

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