The holiday season is here, and so are all the tasty treats that come with it! While these traditional favorites are probably a staple of your festive celebrations, the starch and sugar they contain can wreak havoc on your pearly whites. Fortunately, you don’t have to miss out! Keep reading to learn tips that can help you keep your smile healthy and sparkling this holiday season.

Keep your routine

The holiday season is filled with plenty of hustle and bustle that can easily throw you off your oral health routine. It’s also a time for sweet treats and starchy foods – which can lead to plaque buildup and tooth decay – so it’s important to remember to brush for two minutes at least twice a day, and floss once each day.

If you’re traveling and want to keep up good habits, pack a toothbrush and small tube of fluoride toothpaste to use after meals. If brushing isn’t an option, chewing sugar-free gum is a great alternative that helps to clean debris from your teeth.

Limit alcohol intake

There are several ways that alcohol can damage your teeth, so it’s important to choose what and how much you consume in your spirit-filled celebrations. Sugar-heavy beverages, like some wines, fuel harmful bacteria in your mouth and can be a major risk factor in tooth decay.

Dehydration, a common side effect of alcohol consumption, can produce the same damaging outcome by decreasing saliva flow and allowing bacteria to cling to enamel.

If enjoying a few drinks during your festivities, alternate your alcohol with a glass of water to keep your mouth rinsed and hydrated.

Snack smart

It’s not just cakes and cookies that harm teeth – snacks like chips, crackers, and pretzels all contain sugars and starches that can harm teeth. If you’re going to snack between meals, stick to veggies, nuts, and cheeses.

With a few easy precautions and healthy tips, your smile will keep sparkling through the holidays! However, it’s important to be proactive about your oral health year-round, and not just during the holiday season. Practicing good dental care is important not only for maintaining a healthy mouth, but for your overall wellness and quality of life, too. Regular visits to your dentist and keeping up with good habits can help you achieve this.