Both children and adults need to adopt an oral care routine. It guarantees adequate protection of your teeth and gums. Most people can keep up with a daily routine, including brushing, flossing, mouthwash, and scraping. However, when the holidays roll in, you could get caught up in the celebrations and miss essential steps of your routine.

This is a bad move because you remain exposed to bacteria that cause infections and oral health problems. It is even worse if you get caught up in all the yummy but tooth-damaging treats commonly served during the holidays. Between Halloween candy, Thanksgiving treats, and Christmas desserts, your teeth and gums could sustain a lot of damage between the holidays. And let’s not forget the effects of fizzy drinks, alcohol, and sticky food.

For these reasons, you must ensure that you take care of your teeth and gums during the holidays. Luckily, we got first-hand information from professional dentists on the best ways to care for your teeth during the holiday season.

Therefore, keep scrolling for helpful insight.

Oral Care Tips For The Holidays

1. Get A New Toothbrush

When the holidays arrive, the first thing you should do is get yourself a new toothbrush. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush after every three months. If you haven’t, then you need to. If you recently replaced your toothbrush, we recommend getting a new one. You will need new bristles to combat the sugar and acidity exposure of the holidays. Ensure that you buy a soft-bristle toothbrush. With the toothbrush, get yourself a fluoride-infused toothpaste, some mouth wash, and dental floss.

2. Get A Travel Oral Care Set

Next, you need to buy or update your travel oral care set.

The holidays come with the opportunity to travel. Whether you are going to spend time with family or explore a new place, you need an oral care travel set.

Start by finding a good toothbrush with a toothbrush cover, preferably foldable. This protects it from germs while you travel. Additionally, find travel-sized versions of your preferred toothpaste and mouth wash. Do not forget to pack your dental floss too.

3. Keep Dental Floss In Your Pocket

The holidays have a funny way of taking you on unexpected adventures. One minute you are shoveling snow on your lawn; the next, you are at an airport heading to a celebration. This is why you must bring some form of oral protection with you at all times. Carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste is impractical.
But you can carry some floss to keep your teeth clean before you have the chance to brush your teeth again. Also, carry sugar-free mints for fresh breath.

4. Avoid What You Can

The holidays come with a lot of temptation. From candy to desserts, alcohol, fizzy drinks, and all things bad for your teeth. Still, most people choose to let loose and indulge for the holidays. You can too. However, experts insist on moderation and avoiding what you can. For example, you do not need to partake if you do not drink alcohol.

Additionally, you can have some sweets but do not go overboard just because it is the holiday. Finally, you don’t have to sample every dessert; choose your favorite instead.

5. Drink Lots Of Water

While you are enjoying all the treats and foods at the table, do not forget to add a glass of water to your side. Some people entirely forget about water when the holidays roll in. After all, you are surrounded by fizzy drinks, cocktails, and alcohol.

But water is necessary. Water will wash away food particles stuck between the teeth. It will also neutralize the acid from food and beverages. Moreover, water will keep your mouth hydrated and be able to produce saliva to neutralize acids further.

6. Quit Smoking

Looking for a great excuse to quit smoking? Well, the holidays are the perfect time to stop. Smoking has a lot of adverse effects on the teeth. They discolor the teeth, dehydrate the mouth, promote bacterial growth, and give you bad breath.

If you are going to be spending time with family, who are not so fond of your smoking habit, consider quitting. You will expose yourself to many teeth-weakening substances, which your teeth could use without the tobacco.

7. Use Your Teeth For Biting and Chewing Only

Another thing you have to be keen on is how you use your teeth. Your teeth are only reserved for eating. So avoid the temptation of opening presents and packages with your teeth during the holidays. You could damage them and expose them to bacteria. Additionally, avoid using your teeth to open soda or beer bottles. You could end up with a chipped or cracked tooth.

Additionally, you could cut your lip or gum, exposing yourself to a nasty infection.

8. Wear A Mouth Guard

If you plan to visit a place with lots of snow for the holidays, then you will likely participate in winter sports and activities. Skating, ice hockey, sledding, and skiing are fun activities for individuals and family members.

However, they could put your teeth at risk. You could fall or get hit, and your teeth will sustain significant damage. Therefore, before you hit the ice, ensure that you have a good mouthguard. Ensure that it protects your teeth well.

9. Keep Sugarless Gum In Your Pocket

Many of the foods and beverages you will partake in during the holidays tend to dehydrate your mouth. This is especially common for sugary foods. Sadly, a dry mouth does not have enough saliva to wash away bacteria and food particles. This puts you at risk of developing infections. To prevent this, ensure that you have sugarless gum on hand. Chewing sugarless gum will improve saliva production. You can chew in between meals to keep your mouth hydrated.

10. Schedule Professional Cleaning Afterwards

And finally, when the holidays come to an end and the New Year rolls in, go for professional cleaning.

A professional cleaning will help clear any plaque and bacteria in your mouth. Your teeth may have sustained some damage, and a good professional cleaning will highlight these issues.

Just be sure to visit a reliable dental professional for cleaning.