The Smile Daily

Holiday Smiles: Keeping Your Teeth Merry and Bright All Season Long

The holidays are here and with them comes a full season of cheerful gatherings, delicious treats, cozy moments and plenty of reasons to smile. At Norge Dental Center we love seeing our patients enjoy this time of year. We also want to help your smile enjoy it just as much as you do.

Let’s be honest. This is the season when cookies seem to appear out of thin air, candy bowls magically refill and it feels almost impossible to say no to one more festive treat. We would never take the fun out of your celebrations. A few simple choices just help your teeth stay as happy as your holiday mood.

Sticky sweets like caramel and taffy are the real troublemakers of the season. They cling to teeth and stay long after the party ends. If you enjoy them just rinse with water afterward or brush when you can. Soft holiday cookies are not as sticky but they still give cavity causing bacteria plenty to work with. Pairing them with nuts or cheese can help balance things out and it tastes great too.

Hard candies and whole nuts are another holiday challenge. It is tempting to crack open a nut with your teeth but they are not made for that kind of pressure. Your enamel will be much happier if you use a nut cracker instead.

Festive drinks also deserve a moment of attention. Hot cocoa peppermint lattes mulled wine and sparkling ciders all taste wonderful but they are not always kind to enamel. Using a straw when you can rinsing with water between sips and waiting a little while before brushing keeps your smile protected and photo ready.

Of course the holidays can be a little stressful too. Preparing meals traveling shopping and juggling schedules can leave you clenching your jaw without realizing it. If you wake up with jaw tension or morning headaches you may be grinding your teeth at night. A comfortable custom nightguard from our office can make a world of difference.

If you are traveling this season pack a travel toothbrush toothpaste and a few floss picks. They hardly take up any space and they make it easy to freshen up wherever your holiday adventures take you. And remember to bring your nightguard or retainer. They need vacation time with you too.

If you want to treat yourself before the new year a cleaning or whitening session can brighten your smile as much as the holiday lights. It is also a great time to use any remaining dental benefits before they reset.

More than anything we hope this season brings you joy laughter and moments that make you smile. We are grateful to care for you and your family and we look forward to seeing you soon. If you are ready to schedule a visit we are always here to help make your holidays and your smile a little brighter.

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