‘Tis the season, and with it comes the mulled wine, the spiked eggnog, and the champagne punch. While the holidays are a time to eat, drink, and be merry, going overboard on the booze can have negative effects on your oral health. Dark ales and wines can stain teeth, spirits with high alcohol levels can lead to dry mouth, and the sugar in the drinks welcomes bacteria and plaque buildup, making dental care a challenge.

Can you still drink festive beverages without wrecking your teeth? At Bridgeview Dental Group, offering some of the best dentistry in Kodiak, AK, the team shares three tips for limiting your alcohol intake over the holidays:

• Eat While You Sip: Drinking on an empty stomach will cause the alcohol to enter your blood stream and affect your brain much more quickly, causing you to get tipsy before you know it. Additionally, drinking when you haven’t eaten can irritate your stomach lining. Make sure you’ve eaten a proper, nutritious meal before you hit the open bar at your next holiday party. Carbohydrate-rich foods, in particular, absorb the alcohol better and minimize its effect on your blood sugar.
• Alternate Beverages: If you like to have a glass in your hand at all times during a holiday party, try alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. After a glass of wine, go for a glass of water or seltzer—skip the dark, sugary sodas that are just as capable of causing tooth decay. Alternating your alcohol with water will keep you hydrated, but it will also be an easy way to pace yourself with your drinking.
• Set A Limit: Having a game plan before hitting the party can help you stay on track with your alcohol intake. Before you head off to a holiday event, decide on a drink limit; for instance, commit to having just two beverages throughout the evening. Tell a friend or family member who is with you about your limit so that you remain accountable. You’ll wake up the next day with no hangover, and your teeth will thank you, too!

The holidays are about socializing and having fun with others—don’t let drinking derail your dental care habits! As always, stay on top of your dental care routine (brushing and flossing twice a day) so that you don’t have to schedule a root canal appointment by New Year’s Day. For more on healthy holiday tips, or to see a trusted dentistry service in the Kodiak area, contact Bridgeview Dental Group at (907) 486-3257 or visit their website.