December is an exciting time of the year; the snow is falling, bells are ringing, and the holiday spirit is here. It’s the season of giving, spending time with family, and indulging in delicious dinners.  During this time, you may have all of your focus on gift giving and being with your loved ones, but it is important not to neglect your oral health. Have a fun and enjoyable holiday season while still maintaining a healthy smile with these tips.

Watch the Sweets
Sugar cookies, cakes, and gingerbread houses are among us this holiday season. With a dessert table full of delicious treats, it can be hard to resist not having them all. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that excess sugar can do more harm than good to your oral health. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a few treats, but just be mindful of how much sugar you consume during the holiday season. It may be best to not take any leftover cookies home after a holiday dinner.

Don’t Forget About Water
Water is your best friend all year round. With all the holiday drink options, you may find yourself neglecting water when you end up reaching for those holiday cocktails and festive lattes. Of course, it’s okay to enjoy that peppermint mocha once in a while but remember to still continue to consume your daily water intake. Also, it is important to understand many holiday drinks are filled with loads of sugar so make sure to brush your teeth after consuming any of these sweet holiday beverages. 

Teeth Friendly Holiday Treats
Just because it’s the season of festivities, doesn’t mean that you can consume teeth friendly treats. Make treats that are good for your oral health while also being good for your holiday spirit. Here are some ideas for teeth friendly holiday treats:

• Egg Snowman: Grab two peeled hardboiled eggs, stack them on top of each other and put them in place with a skewer. Add a slice of carrot for the nose, and peppercorns for the eyes and buttons.
• Strawberry Santa: Grab some washed strawberries and cut off the tail. Next slice the tip of the strawberry, this is going to be the hat. Add some whipped cream in the middle and at the tip of the strawberry. Finally, decorate with chocolate chips or dried berries. You can also substitute the whipped cream for yogurt or homemade coconut whipped cream.
• Cheese Reindeer: Get any triangle shaped cheese, add two pretzels near the wide side of the cheese as antlers. Decorate the face and nose with olives and peppers.

Maintain A Schedule
During the holiday season, your kids are out of school and you may be off work. Your daily routine may no longer be following its usual schedule, but that does not mean that your oral health should be neglected. No matter what schedule you are on, always remember to maintain a proper oral hygiene schedule. Brush and floss every morning and night, no matter how tired you are after those holiday celebrations.

Implement Oral Health Into The Holidays
During your holiday gift shopping this season, consider purchasing your loved ones some gifts that will help them maintain good oral health. Some great oral health gift ideas include an electric toothbrush, a dental travel kit, or a whitening treatment from the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre. Some simple stocking stuffer ideas include floss, toothpaste, and toothbrush. Your oral health deserves some appreciation during the holiday season as well.

Avoid Using Your Teeth as A Gift Opener
Opening gifts can be very exciting. But when that one gift becomes difficult to open with your hands, don’t designate your teeth as a gift opener. Trying to open packages with your teeth can lead to a dental injury and is harmful for your oral health. Have some scissor ready by your side before the gift opening begins.

With the year coming to an end, December is a great time to use your benefits before they expire. Check out our previous blog post to read about “Why December is the Perfect Month to Visit Your Dentist” to understand the benefits of visiting the dentist before the new year. Schedule an appointment with us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa to get that needed tooth cleaning or check up for any dental issues. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. The Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season!