4 Ways to Keep Your Teeth Healthy Throughout the Holidays

Do you want to remember this holiday season for the fun and joyful memories you made with friends and family or for the time you spent at your dentist’s office getting a cavity filled? Hopefully, you will choose the former but unless you take care of your smile during this sugar-fueled time of year, you could be experiencing the latter. To prevent decay and disease from wrecking your festivities, hear from a dentist who shares 4 ways you can keep your smile looking its best this year.

Brush, Floss, Rinse…Repeat

That’s right. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing should remain a staple throughout the holidays. Even on the nights when you are exhausted from gameplay with your nieces and nephews, you should still take the time to engage in your oral hygiene routine. It’s no surprise that a majority of people forgo their nightly regime, but in order to keep those super sweet cookies your grandma made from sticking to your teeth, it’s a good idea to remove it before you go to bed.

Use a Nutcracker, Not Your Teeth

The colorful and royal-looking nutcracker should become your best friend throughout the holidays, especially if you enjoy eating nuts of all kinds. While peanuts may not be so difficult to consume, pecans and walnuts have a hard outer shell, making them a real pain to crack open. This is where you should rely on the skills of the nutcracker and not your teeth. Your pearly whites can easily crack or chip if you try to open your favorite nut, so leave the work to the professionals.

Show Off Your Nails Instead of Biting Them

If you spent time in the nail salon before leaving town to head to your grandma’s house, let the money you spent on dazzling up your nails be worth the investment! We know the holidays can cause nervousness or even anxiety but biting your nails won’t help. Instead, if you find that this bad habit is one that is hard to break, keep sugarless gum in your pocket and reach for it when nerves kick in. When going to shake the hand of the cute neighbor, you’ll be glad you’re reaching forward a hand with perfectly painted nails.

Let Ice Melt

If you’re the type of person who enjoys crushed ice or even cubed ice so you can chomp down on it mindlessly, the holidays are a great time to stop. Not only can you damage your teeth, leading to a dental emergency that takes you away from your family and friends, but you are slowly chipping away at the enamel on your teeth, which makes you more vulnerable to staining, discoloration, and tooth sensitivity. Instead of chewing on it, let it melt.

While it may not be easy to do, following these 4 simple tips will keep your smile looking beautiful and healthy well into the new year. Start 2020 off with a bang and protect your teeth and gums this holiday season.

About the Author
Dr. Mark Simeone has nearly two decades of experience as a general and cosmetic dentist. He completed his advanced education in general dentistry at Rutgers University before completing his doctoral studies and residency. Dr. Simeone has become one of the most respected dentists in his field and enjoys helping his patients achieve healthy smiles through preventive care. To learn more about Dr. Simeone,  contact us at (610) 383-1600.