As the holiday season approaches, most people are busy planning family gatherings, picking out the perfect gifts, and organizing holiday parties. While these festive preparations can be exciting, it’s easy to forget about one critical element of the season: your smile.
Whether it’s family photos, holiday parties, or even those surprise reunions with friends, your smile can feel like it’s front and center. This is why scheduling a pre-holiday dental checkup is a must for ensuring that your confidence is ready for the season’s celebrations.
Stressed About the Holidays? Your Teeth Might Be Too
Holiday stress is real, and it doesn’t just affect your mental health—it can take a toll on your teeth, too.
Stress-related habits like teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, often spike during busy times like the holiday season. Grinding your teeth can cause significant wear and tear, leading to jaw pain, headaches, and even cracked teeth over time.
Luckily, a pre-holiday visit to your dentist can help. Your dentist can check for signs of grinding and suggest preventive measures, such as a custom night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep. Tackling the issue early ensures that stress doesn’t add unnecessary strain to your oral health, letting you face the holidays with a smile—minus the wear and tear.
At the same time, cold weather can add another layer of discomfort to your oral health. Cold air and seasonal treats like hot drinks and chilled cocktails can aggravate tooth sensitivity, leaving your teeth more vulnerable to pain.
By addressing these concerns now, you’ll ensure your smile stays bright, healthy, and comfortable throughout the festivities.
Enjoy the Holiday Foods You Love—While Protecting Your Teeth
The holidays bring a cornucopia of sugary to crunchy to sticky snacks. While these foods are a holiday staple, they can wreak havoc on your teeth if you’re not careful.
A pre-holiday checkup gives you a head start in protecting your smile: your dentist can clean away any existing plaque that might interact poorly with holiday foods and personalize their advice to your favorite treats.
With a little preparation, you can indulge in the season’s flavors without compromising your dental health.
Holiday Food Dangers Your Dentist Wants You to be Aware Of
While it’s important to enjoy the season’s treats, here are a few popular holiday foods to be cautious about—and what to do if they affect your teeth:
- Candy Canes: These holiday classics are hard and sugary, making them a prime culprit for broken teeth or cavities.
If you find yourself biting down on a candy cane and experiencing pain or sensitivity, stop immediately to avoid further damage. Rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental wax to cover any sharp edges if your tooth has chipped.
If the pain persists or the tooth is visibly cracked, call your dentist to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
- Caramel and Toffees: Sticky sweets can easily get stuck between teeth and lead to decay if not cleaned properly. Worse, they can pull out fillings or crowns if you’re not careful.If you notice any stickiness or discomfort after eating caramel or toffee, try flossing gently to remove any remaining candy.If a filling or crown comes loose, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth and call your dentist to have it repaired before further damage occurs.
- Popcorn: A favorite snack during holiday movie marathons, popcorn can be tricky because the kernels can get lodged in between your teeth, and biting down on an unpopped kernel can cause a cracked tooth.If you feel something stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a water flosser to gently remove the kernel. Never use sharp objects to dig it out. If you experience a sudden sharp pain from biting down on a hard kernel, rinse your mouth and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.If a crack is visible or the pain doesn’t subside, contact your dentist.
In general, if you experience any persistent pain, discomfort, or noticeable damage to your teeth after indulging in these holiday foods, it’s a good idea to call your dentist.
DIY Protecting Your Smile During the Holidays Tips
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to let your oral care routine slip during the busy holiday season. Between traveling, parties, and late-night festivities, maintaining good dental hygiene can be challenging.
Here are a few tips to protect your smile during the holidays:
- Carry Travel-Sized Dental Products
If you’re traveling, consider packing an extra travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss in a second location to make it easier to maintain your oral care routine on the go. - Stay Hydrated
Drinking water helps wash away food particles and bacteria from your teeth. It’s especially important if you’re indulging in sugary or acidic foods and drinks. This is an easy one! - Chew Sugar-Free Gum
When you can’t brush your teeth right away, chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes acids in your mouth and prevents cavities. This may be a smart impulse-purchase at the airport if you feel like your teeth may need a little help. - Avoid Using Teeth as Tools
Whether it’s opening packages or cracking nuts, never use your teeth as tools. This can lead to chipped or broken teeth and may require emergency dental care.
The holiday season can be full of joy, laughter, and togetherness, and your smile should feel ready for you to lean in. By scheduling a pre-holiday dental checkup at Smith Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, you can ensure that your teeth are healthy, clean, and ready to shine in all your holiday celebrations.
Preventive care is key to avoiding dental issues and keeping your smile looking its best, so don’t wait—book your appointment today and enjoy the season with confidence.
Schedule your pre-holiday checkup at Smith Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, with convenient locations in Sneads Ferry, Jacksonville, Hampstead, Surf City, Wilmington, Goldsboro, and New Bern, NC. Keep your smile healthy and bright this holiday season, and enjoy every moment with confidence.
