Oral health tips for the holidays

Illustration of a multi-generational family sitting at a dining room table enjoying a meal together

The holidays are upon us. The holiday season typically brings many opportunities to gather with co-workers, friends, and loved ones. We often celebrate with food, drinks and sweet treats. Enjoy all of these holiday festivities without sacrificing your oral health by keeping these tips in mind:

Illustration of a plate of colorful vegetables

Think moderation. It’s exciting to be in festive environments with many tasty options. Limiting excessive sugar and carbohydrates will help maintain a healthy mouth, as cavities also enjoy these treats! 🍬
Choose tooth-healthy foods. Holiday events are often well stocked with tons of tempting options like appetizers and sweets. Choosing fresh fruit, vegetables and cheese are better options for your teeth. Not drinking excessive sugary drinks, like eggnog or punch, will also help keep cavities away. Making a few easy swaps will keep you off the naughty list! 🎅

Rethink bubbly drinks. Beverages with lots of sugar have a reputation for harming our teeth, but you might not know the hazards of having too many bubbly beverages. Though usually these options have low or no sugar, they still contain acids that can weaken our enamel and lead to tooth decay. Tap water is the best beverage for your teeth, and it helps to clear your mouth of sugars left by other drinks and sugary snacks if you have some immediately after.

Avoid using your teeth as an opener. Teeth are not tools – they are integral to your overall health. They should not replace nutcrackers, scissors or corkscrews – do not use them for nuts, packages or bottles. Using your teeth to open things increases the risk of painful injuries and damage to your teeth.

Illustration of a young woman wearing glasses brushing her teeth in front of the bathroom mirror and sink. She is wearing purple pajamas

Keep up with your routine. Late-night celebrations and fatigue from the holidays may tempt you to skip your daily toothbrushing and flossing. However, this is the worst time to skip these important practices. You should be extra mindful of continuing your oral health habits, especially when you might be consuming so much extra sugar. If you are traveling or staying with family, be sure toothbrush, toothpaste and floss are packed in your overnight bag or suitcase! 🪥

Schedule next year’s dental visit. End-of-year celebrations are an excellent reminder to schedule your routine care for the new year. Keeping up with your regular visits helps identify issues ahead of time and maintain a healthy mouth.

Here’s a toast to good oral health today and always. Cheers! 🥂

This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Eileen Crespo, MD

Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. She is a practicing pediatrician of over 25 years. She graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Biology and received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Co-Chapter Oral Health Advocate (COHA) of the Minnesota American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member of the Board of Directors of Children’s Dental Services, and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.