Between wrapping gifts and large family dinners, the holiday season is one where people don’t spend much time thinking about their oral health or planning trips to the dental clinic. But despite having a lot of festivities on your itinerary, it’s still important to care for your teeth just as you would any other time of the year. To keep your smile bright and healthy as you celebrate with loved ones, here are a few essential dental care tips to keep in mind.  

5 Dental Care Tips for the Holidays

1. Make Relaxation a Priority

If you equate this time of year with high stress levels, look for healthy ways to stay relaxed, such as getting a full night’s sleep and keeping your commitments realistic. High levels of stress can cause people to clench their jaw or grind their teeth — problems that can cause discomfort and damage to your oral health.

2. Watch the Sweets You Eat

From candy canes to cookies, sweet treats are everywhere during the holidays. However, these foods contain high amounts of sugar, which contribute to cavity development. As such, you should snack on chewy, sugary, and hard candy treats in moderation, especially if you have sensitive teeth.

3. Keep Oral Hygiene on Your Schedule

While your schedule during the holidays may be all over the place, it’s important to continue your oral care routine. For ways to enhance your dental care this holiday season, consider gifting yourself —and loved ones — oral health tools like electronic toothbrushes and water flossers.  

4. Don’t Use Teeth as Tools

Opening packaging, cracking nuts, and twisting off bottle caps should always be done using the proper tools. Although it may seem convenient to use your teeth for these tasks, doing so can cause them to chip or crack.

5. Start the New Year Off With a Cleaning

After the holidays are over, make a plan to visit your dental clinic in the new year. Through a routine exam and cleaning, your dentist will remove excess plaque and tartar, and catch potential oral health problems early on. And if enhancing your smile is a New Year’s resolution, your dental clinic may offer cosmetic treatments, such as teeth whitening and veneers.

Whether you need emergency dental care during the holiday season or want to start the new year off with a brighter smile, PdC Dentistry, S.C. is here to help. Serving the Prairie du Chien, WI, community and Greater Prairie area, this friendly dental clinic offers exceptional preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services. To learn more about how this provider can enhance your oral health, visit their website. To make an appointment, call (608) 326-8458.