The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes a whirlwind of festivities, delicious treats, and countless photo opportunities. At SmileBar, we understand that you want your smile to shine in Instagram photos as brightly as the holiday lights. Here are some dental tips for the holidays to keep your pearly whites looking their best during this joyous time:
Maintain Your Daily Dental Routine
With all the excitement, it’s easy to let your oral care routine slip. However, sticking to your regular brushing and flossing schedule remains important. Set reminders if needed, and don’t skip your nightly routine, no matter how late the party runs. If you want to go the extra mile, it’s the perfect time to switch to electric toothbrushes or water flossers for more effective cleaning. You can also try using interdental brushes for hard-to-reach areas and keep your teeth healthy and clean this holiday.
Also, you might find yourself out and about more often during the holidays. Pack a small dental kit with a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. This way, you can freshen up your smile after meals or before impromptu photo sessions.
Be Mindful of Holiday Treats
We know it’s hard to resist those tempting sweets and treats that only come around once a year. While we don’t expect you to avoid them entirely, try to limit your intake of sticky and sugary treats and rinse your mouth with water after indulging. This helps wash away sugars and acids that can harm your teeth. If possible, choose teeth-friendly food items like cheese, which helps neutralise acids. Also, grab some celery, carrots and other crunchy vegetables that can naturally clean teeth.
Speaking of water, stay hydrated this holiday season! Besides all that, water can help combat the drying effects of alcohol if you’re enjoying a festive drink or two.
Manage Holiday Vices
The festive season often tempts us with increased alcohol consumption and social smoking. Here are more specific oral health tips to help you this festive season:
- Enjoy the endless parties, but limit your intake of alcoholic beverages, which can dry out your mouth and reduce saliva production.
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to maintain hydration and oral pH balance.
- Sticking to non-alcoholic beverages? Choose lighter-coloured drinks to minimise tooth staining.
- Use nicotine replacement therapies or seek support to reduce smoking during stressful social situations.
- Rinse your mouth with water after smoking to minimise bacterial build-up.
Manage Holiday Stress to Protect Your Oral Health
While joyful, the holiday season can be incredibly stressful. This holiday stress directly impacts your oral health through a phenomenon known as stress-induced dental tension. It can manifest as teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and neglect of oral hygiene.
Practice relaxation techniques like daily meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga or gentle stretching, or progressive muscle relaxation techniques. Consider using a custom-fitted night guard if you’re prone to teeth grinding, and stick to a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible to lessen your stress this holiday season.
Schedule a Pre- & Post-Holiday Dental Checkup
Do dentists close over Christmas? You may have to check their holiday schedules. Better yet, be proactive by scheduling a check-up before holiday festivities. That way, you can address any potential issues that could worsen during the season. Also, get a professional cleaning to start the holidays with a fresh, vibrant & healthy smile. If you’re battling with stress-induced dental tension, you can have it checked and ask for possible treatment options and other solutions, like wearing a night guard.
Then, book a dental appointment for after the holidays. Ask your dentist to check for potential issues like increased sensitivity or minor damages. A post-holiday dental check-up can give you peace of mind, knowing you’ll start the new year with clean and healthy teeth.
Consider Professional Teeth Whitening
While the holiday dental tips above help maintain oral health this festive season, nothing transforms your smile like professional teeth whitening. At SmileBar, our in-chair treatments offer a quick, safe, and effective way to brighten your smile for all those holiday photos and gatherings. Our services are available across Australia. So, if you need professional dental whitening in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth or Gold Coast, you can count on SmileBar to help you get ready for the holidays. Book your teeth whitening session and step into the festive season with a confident, radiant smile!
Summing It Up
Your smile is one of your best accessories this holiday season. By following these tips and considering an in-chair teeth whitening treatment at SmileBar, you’ll be ready to flash those pearly whites confidently on every festive occasion. Here’s to a season filled with bright smiles and joyous moments!
