‘Tis the season! Around the office, Dr. Keaton, Dr. Allison, and the whole team at Mountain West Dental Specialists are stoked for the holiday season! We love the lights, the time with family, and…you guessed it…the FOOD! It’s just a special time, and it makes our tummies happy! But remember, it’s important to take special care to keep your teeth happy, too! But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Read on to learn how to take care of your teeth during the festivities!
Holiday Foods & Habits That Challenge Oral Health
The holidays are a time for family, laughter, and let’s be honest, plenty of snacking. From homemade fudge to caramel apples and peppermint mochas, the season is packed with sugary temptations. But all that sweetness can leave behind more than crumbs. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar, releasing acids that weaken enamel and pave the way for cavities. Dr. Keaton and Dr. Allison want families across Las Vegas to enjoy every bite while keeping their smiles healthy, so understanding what to watch for is the first step.
Sticky & Sugary Treats to Watch Out For
Sticky and chewy sweets are the worst offenders for your teeth because they linger long after you’ve finished eating them. Caramel, taffy, and even some soft cookies can glue themselves to hard-to-clean crevices, feeding bacteria that produce cavity-causing acid for hours. Hard candies like candy canes can be just as risky, since holding them in your mouth bathes your teeth in sugar, and biting them can lead to chips or cracks.
Instead of grazing on sweets throughout the day, enjoy them with a meal. The extra saliva your body produces while eating helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids. And after dessert, drink a full glass of water or chew sugar-free gum for a quick cleanup. You don’t have to give up your favorite holiday indulgences, just enjoy them wisely and follow up with a little care to keep your teeth in top shape.
The Effects of Acidic Drinks
Holiday beverages can be deceptively harsh on your teeth. Fizzy sodas, sparkling ciders, wine, and citrusy punches all contain acids that soften enamel over time. When enamel becomes weakened, it’s more vulnerable to staining, sensitivity, and decay. It’s not just about what you drink, it’s how you drink it.
Sipping slowly over a long period keeps your teeth under a steady acid attack. Try limiting these drinks to mealtimes, when your saliva is naturally at its highest, helping buffer those acids. Using a straw for acidic or sugary drinks can also minimize contact with your enamel. And between sips, water is your best ally. It rinses away sugars and helps maintain a balanced pH in your mouth, keeping your enamel strong through every celebration.
Frequency Over Quantity
Most people assume that eating a lot of sugar at once is the biggest problem, but it’s actually frequency that causes the most harm. Snacking on sweets every hour means your teeth are constantly exposed to acid, leaving no time for enamel to recover. Each time you eat, your mouth enters a cycle of acid production that lasts 20 to 30 minutes. When that cycle never stops, your teeth never get a break.
The best holiday strategy? Designate treat times instead of nibbling all day. Enjoy your favorite desserts, then give your mouth a rest by drinking water and chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow. This not only keeps your teeth healthier but also helps you appreciate each indulgence more. Your smile and your digestion will thank you for pacing yourself.
Simple Strategies to Protect Your Smile
Now that we know what challenges your teeth face during the festivities, it’s time to talk about solutions. Maintaining a healthy smile during the holidays doesn’t have to mean skipping the fun. With a few small adjustments, you can protect your teeth and still enjoy every cookie and cup of cocoa that comes your way.
Balance Sweet Treats with Healthy Choices
Balance is the name of the game. After enjoying sugary or starchy foods, reach for snacks that naturally clean your teeth and support your oral health. Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots act as natural scrubbers, helping remove debris from the tooth surface. Cheese, milk, and yogurt are also excellent choices, since they’re high in calcium and help neutralize acids while strengthening enamel.
If you’re hosting, consider adding a fruit or cheese platter to your spread. Not only do they offer a break from sugary treats, but they also give guests a delicious way to keep their smiles strong. Water is another must-have; between meals, it helps wash away sugars and food particles before they can cause trouble.
Brush & Floss, Even When Traveling
The holidays often mean travel, and travel can disrupt routines. But your toothbrush and floss should always make the trip. Keeping up with your oral care while you’re away from home makes all the difference. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day to remove what your brush misses. If you can’t brush right away after a meal, rinsing with water or using mouthwash helps keep things fresh until you can.
Parents can help kids stay consistent by turning oral care into a family activity, set up a “toothbrushing station” wherever you’re staying, or pack fun brushes and travel kits to make it easier. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to skip those crucial moments of care.
Hydration Is Your Best Friend
When you’re surrounded by rich foods and festive drinks, water can seem boring, but it’s your mouth’s best defense. Saliva is your natural cleaner, and staying hydrated ensures your body produces enough to wash away bacteria and neutralize acids. Drinking plenty of water also helps reduce dry mouth, which is common during the holidays thanks to alcohol, caffeine, and late nights.
Try keeping a refillable water bottle with you throughout the day. Take a few sips after eating or drinking something sweet, and you’ll give your teeth a quick rinse even before brushing. Hydration keeps your enamel strong, your gums healthy, and your breath fresh, a trifecta for any holiday party.
Special Care for Kids & Orthodontic Patients
Children and orthodontic patients face a unique set of challenges during the holidays, but with a few adjustments, they can still enjoy the season safely. From sticky treats to late-night snacking, these small habits can quickly turn into big issues if left unchecked. Luckily, a few smart strategies keep everyone smiling bright.
Braces, Aligners & Sticky Foods
If you or your child wears braces, sticky foods are the enemy. Caramels, toffees, and hard candies can pull brackets loose or bend wires, leading to discomfort and extra visits. Instead, go for softer treats, think cupcakes, brownies, or smooth chocolate. These are much kinder to braces and easier to clean off afterward.
For Invisalign patients, the key is consistency. Aligners should only come out for eating and brushing, and they should be cleaned thoroughly before being popped back in. Never drink colored or sugary beverages while wearing them, as they can stain the trays or trap sugar against your teeth. Taking care now prevents delays later, ensuring your treatment stays perfectly on track.
Making Dental Care Fun for Kids
The holidays can make kids’ routines a little chaotic, but that doesn’t mean oral care has to slide. Kids love anything that feels like a game, so make brushing and flossing part of the fun. Play holiday music while brushing and let them dance their way through the two minutes. You can even use a reward system, stickers for every successful brush, and a fun prize at the end of the week.
Dr. Keaton and Dr. Allison encourage parents throughout Las Vegas to focus on progress, not perfection. When kids see dental care as something positive, they’re more likely to stick with it year-round. Plus, they’ll associate clean, healthy smiles with the joy of the season, a gift that keeps on giving.
When to Schedule Post-Holiday Checkups
After the season winds down, it’s a great idea to schedule a cleaning or orthodontic checkup. The holidays are notorious for overindulgence, and a post-holiday exam helps make sure all that celebrating hasn’t left behind any cavities or plaque buildup. For orthodontic patients, it’s also a chance to ensure no brackets or wires were damaged along the way.
At Mountain West Dental Specialists, we’re here to help you kick off the new year with a fresh start. A quick visit with our team can set the tone for a healthy year ahead, giving you and your smile something extra to celebrate. And remember, orthodontic consultations are always free!