From heart-shaped chocolates for Valentine’s Day to Easter baskets filled with jelly beans, sweet treats are everywhere when there’s a holiday. Indulging in a few sweet treats is okay, but the extra sugar intake can lead to cavities and other dental problems if you ignore your oral hygiene routine. Here are a few “healthy teeth tips” to keep you smiling during the spring holidays and all year round.
How to Maintain Healthy Teeth During Holidays
Choose Your Sweets Wisely
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to eat some caramels or jelly beans occasionally. If you love something, you should go ahead and eat it—though you do want to be careful with sweets that stick to your teeth. And on that note, the treats you choose can make a big difference for your dental health.
Here are a few tips to follow:
- Choose dark chocolate. It doesn’t have as much sugar as milk chocolate, and it doesn’t stick to your teeth. Any residue can be washed away easily with your saliva or by drinking water.
- Look for sugar-free options. These candies are made with sweeteners that taste good to you but not to the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.
- For better dental health, rinse your mouth with water after eating sweets. Then, brush your teeth 15 or 20 minutes later to protect your tooth enamel.
Stick to Your Oral Hygiene Routine
During holidays, we often travel to be with family and go to parties or out on dates. With changes in routine, it’s easy to miss a session of brushing and flossing. But during any holiday that involves candy, it is even more important to stick to your daily oral hygiene routine.
Always brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. If you’re traveling, you can keep a compact oral hygiene kit in your glove box or bag, just in case. Another option for after eating treats is to chew sugar-free gum with xylitol to help clean your teeth between brushing.
Stay Hydrated and Snack Smart
Perhaps one of the most important tips for healthy teeth during holidays is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help wash away food particles and sugar lingering in your mouth. Also, do your best to limit the amount of sugary beverages you drink, such as lattes and sodas. We see you, Swig patrons of the world! Enjoy sweets in moderation instead of grazing on them all day. Duration matters more to dental health than quantity. Eating a little bit continuously is a recipe for problems. Alternatively, pair sweets with teeth-friendly snacks like cheese, nuts, and fresh fruits or vegetables.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Please use the proper tools to open wrappers and packaging for sweets and chocolates. Using scissors to open your sweets will prevent accidental damage like chips and cracks. Also, if you store your chocolate bunnies in the refrigerator, they may be too hard to bite. Wait for them to soften a little before you bite into them so you don’t damage your teeth.
Plan a Post-Holiday Checkup
If you are worried about your teeth after enjoying a bit too much holiday candy, you can always schedule a checkup with one of our dentists. We can remove any plaque buildup from the sugary treats and give your teeth a thorough cleaning to keep your smile healthy and bright. And if you notice any tooth sensitivity or pain, come in and see us so we can prevent the problem from growing worse.
Your Local Dentist in South Jordan, Utah
Spring holidays are fun to celebrate, but you need to keep your dental health in mind. Enjoy your treats in moderation, and remember to keep up with your oral hygiene routine. And if you haven’t yet scheduled your first checkup this year, contact us to book an appointment for a cleaning and exam.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (03/24/2025) Photo by Jacques Dillies on Unsplash