Keep Your Smile Bright This Holiday Season: 5 Simple Holiday Tips for Great Oral Health

The holidays are here—a joyful season filled with family gatherings, laughter, and plenty of sweet treats! While it’s the season for celebrating, it’s also important to keep your smile in mind. The good news? You can enjoy all your favorite holiday goodies and protect your teeth.

Dr. Michael Spitzer and our team in Costa Mesa, CA, are here to help you keep your smile bright and healthy all season long. Here are five simple, dentist-approved holiday tips to maintain great oral health and start the new year with confidence.

The Importance of Dental Hygiene During the Holidays

Between office parties, family gatherings, and endless trays of cookies, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities. But taking a few extra minutes to brush and floss regularly can make all the difference. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps prevent plaque buildup, protect your enamel, and keep your smile healthy from Thanksgiving through the New Year.

Holiday Oral Health Factors to Keep in Mind

Sugar Intake

Holiday favorites like candy canes, cookies, and fudge are loaded with sugar. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to cavities if not removed through regular brushing and flossing. 

Acidic Beverages

Festive drinks such as wine, cider, and champagne can wear down enamel due to their acidity. Try to rinse with water after enjoying these drinks.

Stress and Teeth Grinding

Holiday stress can sometimes cause teeth grinding (bruxism), which can lead to jaw pain and enamel damage. Be mindful of tension and give yourself moments to relax.

Skipping Your Routine

Busy schedules can make it tempting to skip brushing or flossing—but consistency is key to keeping your teeth healthy all season long.

5 Simple Tips to Maintain a Healthy Smile This Season

1. Choose Smile-Friendly Foods

Be sure to indulge in foods that are good for your smile! Here are some tasty and healthy options to enjoy as you celebrate. Keeping a few nutritious choices in mind can make navigating the next party buffet a little easier and more fun.

Turkey—This popular Thanksgiving staple is high in phosphorus, protein, vitamins, and minerals making it a healthy choice for your teeth and body.

Veggies—Another great choice is to choose crunchy crudites from the veggie tray. Chewing crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery can help clean sticky foods from your teeth and stimulate your gums, which in turn helps keep your teeth healthy. 

Cheese—A smart pick from the charcuterie board! Cheese balances your mouth’s pH and provides calcium to strengthen teeth. A balanced pH level helps reduce the harmful acids that cause cavities. 

2. Be Mindful of Holiday Beverages

Don't undo your efforts to whiten your teeth! Wine, coffee, and dark sodas can stain teeth, while alcohol and acidic drinks can erode enamel and dry out your mouth. To help protect your smile:

• Be mindful of alcohol consumption during the holidays. Alcohol can affect your oral health in several ways—it can dry out your mouth, reducing saliva flow, which is essential for washing away food particles and bacteria. Many alcoholic drinks, such as beer, wine, and citrus-based cocktails, are also acidic and can wear down tooth enamel over time. Plus, the added sugars in mixed drinks can cling to your teeth and increase the risk of cavities.

  
  

• After enjoying a festive beverage, rinse your mouth with water to help protect your teeth. Water helps neutralize acids and wash away sugars that can linger on your enamel. This quick, easy step goes a long way in preventing decay and keeping your smile healthy all season long.

3. Keep Up Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Even after late-night gatherings, don’t skip brushing and flossing!

• Brush twice a day and floss once daily.

• Pack a small dental kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for travel or office parties.

• Stick to your regular routine wherever the holidays take you.

4. Enjoy Sweets in Moderation

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a few sweet treats—but moderation is key. Practice mindful eating by savoring desserts slowly rather than overindulging. Choose smaller portions, or share a slice of pie with a loved one to satisfy your sweet tooth without overdoing it.

If you’re looking for a healthier option, try a lower-sugar dessert, such as this pumpkin pie that’s low in sugar and made with an almond flour crust. This lighter version reduces refined carbs and sugars, helping to protect your teeth from decay while still letting you enjoy a festive favorite.

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe

5. Be Careful with Candy

Holiday candies like candy canes, caramels, and toffees are everywhere this time of year—but they can be tough on your teeth. Hard candies can chip or crack teeth if you bite down too quickly, so it’s best to let them dissolve slowly. Sticky and chewy candies, like caramel, can cling to teeth, braces, or dental work, increasing the risk of decay or damage.

If you do enjoy these treats, brush and floss afterward—or at least rinse with water—to remove lingering sugar and protect your enamel.

Holiday Dental Tips for Children

Kids are often surrounded by sweets during the holidays, making it even more important to reinforce good dental habits.

Encourage your child to:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss daily (with your help if needed).

• Enjoy sugary treats in moderation and follow up with water or a quick brush.

Helping children make healthy choices early on builds healthy, life-long habits and keeps their smiles strong and cavity-free.

Start the New Year with a Healthy Smile

A professional cleaning before the holidays is a great way to remove plaque buildup and start the season fresh.

From all of us at Michael J. Spitzer, DDS in Costa Mesa, CA, we wish you a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. We can’t wait to see your bright smile in the new year!