The holidays can be a tough time to stay on track when it comes to your oral health. To make sure the holiday festivities don’t get the best of you, we have compiled a few tips to help you protect your smile over the holidays.

Try To Choose Low-Sugar Holiday Foods & Beverages

A sugary pastry may be good once in a while, but try and keep them to a minimum over the holidays (easier said than done, we know!). Sugary foods can destroy your tooth enamel and encourage bacterial growth. To keep your smile safe, choose healthier alternatives. 

Better choices include oatmeal and nut-based cookies, even gingerbread has less sugar than traditional holiday cookies. Pumpkin pie is generally lower in sugar when compared to other pies as well, and is a better choice should you choose to indulge. 

If you’re missing the sweet taste of sugar, take an extra helping of cranberries at dinner. Research shows that they can help prevent dental cavities.

Don’t Neglect Good Brushing and Flossing Habits

Holiday parties and outings can get in the way of oral hygiene during your time off. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) recommends brushing and flossing at least twice daily. Leave yourself reminders to brush and floss so you don’t fall out of your routine over the holidays.

Ask your dentist for cleaning techniques if you feel you are not getting your teeth as clean as you should be. You can also follow the CDA’s helpful illustrated guide. Consider an electric toothbrush if you have trouble getting your teeth clean using a manual toothbrush.

Call Your Dentist When Necessary

The possibility of cracking a tooth or getting a nasty toothache over the holidays still exists. If that unfortunate event does occur, call your dentist as soon as you notice a problem. During the holidays availability may be limited, but the sooner you call, the sooner you will get an appointment. The important thing is to get yourself into a dentist’s chair to address the problem early. If necessary, consider looking for emergency dental services in your area.

Another preventative measure is to set up a teeth cleaning appointment during the first couple of weeks of December. Not only will you head into the holiday season with a clean smile, but your dentist can check your teeth for any issues before the holidays begin.