Keep Your Smile Merry and Bright: Our Holiday Dental Guide
Keep Your Smile Merry and Bright: Our Holiday Dental Guide
It’s the most wonderful time of the year... but not for your patients’ teeth. The holidays are filled with sugar-laden treats and festive drinks that can wreak havoc on oral hygiene.
Your patients are looking for tips to keep their smiles healthy and bright. As patients increasingly turn to social media to research dentists and schedule appointments, take advantage of this opportunity to improve your online engagement with content designed to connect with patients and enhance your reputation.
Blogs to post on your website
We enlisted our own expert to help create Halloween blogs that educate your readers. Robin Smith, a Henry Schein One Solutions Consultant Engineer, has nearly two decades of clinical experience and is most passionate about empowering dental offices to embrace technology as a catalyst for growth and efficiency.
Blog 1:
Tis the Season for Dental Decay: The Truth About Your Favorite Holiday Drinks
The holiday season is filled with joy, cheer, and delicious treats. However, many of your favorite festive beverages can wreak havoc on your oral health. We’re exploring the most damaging holiday drinks for your teeth.
1. Eggnog
Eggnog, the creamy and indulgent holiday classic, is packed with sugar – especially when mixed with rum. The combination of sugar and dairy can create a sticky film on your teeth, creating a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
2. Hot Cocoa
Hot cocoa, a favorite winter treat at any age, is often loaded with sugar. The combination of sugar and heat can accelerate tooth erosion – and that’s before you load up on whipped cream and marshmallows.
3. Pumpkin Spice Drinks
This one hurts, but as much as we love a pumpkin spice latte, it's not great for your teeth. The drinks and treats you’re purchasing often contain high amounts of added sugar, which can contribute to dental problems.
4. Fruit Juices
While juice seems like a safer choice than a lot of drinks on this list, it can be surprisingly acidic and is often loaded with sugar. Acidic drinks can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay.
5. Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages, especially hard liquors found in many of your favorite holiday cocktails, are often highly acidic. Excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to dry mouth, which can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease (and bad breath). Additionally, dark beers and red wine can stain teeth – and a giant red grin is not the memory you want when looking back at holiday photos.
How to best protect your teeth:
- Limit the sugary drinks
- Rinse your mouth with water after consuming sugary drinks
- Use a straw to minimize contact between the drink and your teeth
- Opt for sugar-free mixers (like tonic, sparkling waters, diet sodas) in your cocktails
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day
By being mindful of the sugary and acidic drinks you consume during the holiday season, you can help protect your teeth and enjoy a healthy smile.
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'Tis the season for holiday cheer... and dental decay!
From hot cocoa to festive cocktails, many of your favorite holiday drinks are packed with sugar and acid, which can cause tooth decay, enamel erosion, and staining. But don’t worry—there’s still time to protect your smile.
🥛 Eggnog – Delicious but sticky
☕ Hot Cocoa – Loaded with sugar
🎃 Pumpkin Spice – Sweet but sugary
🍊 Fruit Juices – Acidic & sugary
🍷 Alcohol – Can stain and dry out your mouth
Pro tips to protect your teeth this season:
✅ Drink in moderation
✅ Rinse with water after sugary drinks
✅ Use a straw
✅ Brush and floss daily
Enjoy the holidays but keep your smile bright! ✨
Blog 2:
The Top Oral Care Questions Patients Ask Us During the Holidays
Today, we’re sharing the top 10 questions our patients ask us during the holiday season.
1. How can I balance holiday indulgences with good oral hygiene?
- There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure good oral hygiene – even during the holiday season.
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit sugary drinks and treats
- Brush twice a day and floss once a day
- Rinse your mouth – especially after eating a sugary, acidic, or sticky treat
2. What are some teeth-friendly holiday recipes or alternatives to sugary treats?
- Veggie, fruit, and cheese platters
- Roasted or steamed main dishes and sides
- Sugar free mixers and drink options
- Whole grains
3. How often should I brush and floss during the holidays?
The answer is the same, regardless of time of year: brush twice a day and floss once a day
4. Are there any specific foods or drinks I should avoid to protect my teeth?
Sugary treats, sticky foods, and acidic drinks can be particularly harmful to your teeth, but you don’t need to go cold turkey on your favorite holiday indulgences. Consider rinsing with water or brushing your teeth after.
5. How can I prevent staining from holiday foods and drinks?
Limit your intake of staining beverages (red wine, coffee, dark-colored beers), drink plenty of water, and consider using a straw to minimize contact with your teeth
6. What are some travel-friendly oral care tips for holiday vacations?
- Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you should relax your oral-care routine:
- Make sure to pack toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash
- Brush twice daily and floss once a day
- Drink a lot of water
7. How can I help my children maintain good oral health during the holidays?
- Ensure your kids’ smiles stay bright all season long with consistent oral care.
- Make sure they have access to their toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
- Limit sugary treats and encourage healthier options
- Drink plenty of water
- Brush twice a day and floss once a day
8. Should I schedule a dental appointment before or after the holidays?
Consider scheduling an appointment before the holidays so any potential issues can be addressed in advance. If you can’t get in before the holidays, make sure you schedule an appointment in the new year.
9. What should I do if I have a dental emergency during the holidays?
Please don't try to treat any dental emergencies yourself! Contact our office. If we're unavailable or you’re out of town, look for an emergency dental clinic.
10. Can certain holiday foods or drinks cause bad breath?
Absolutely! A lot of popular tasty treats, dishes, and drinks can make you a social pariah at holiday gatherings. These include:
- Sugary treats -- cookies, pie, and candy -- can create a bacteria breeding ground
- Starchy foods like potatoes, bread, and pasta
- Garlic and onions can linger on your breath for hours
- Alcohol can lead to dry mouth and bad breath
- Coffee and teas
Have you scheduled your pre-holiday checkup? We’re here to help make sure you and your family are ready for the holiday season!
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The holiday season is here so we’re sharing the answers to the most common dental concerns our patients have during the holidays.
💧 How can I balance treats with oral hygiene?
Drink water, limit sugary snacks, and don’t forget to brush twice a day and floss!
🍴 What’s a teeth-friendly holiday menu?
Think veggie platters, cheese, whole grains, and sugar-free drink options.
🚫 What should I avoid to protect my teeth?
Stay mindful of sugary, sticky treats and acidic drinks—but if you indulge, rinse with water or brush after!
🧳 Traveling for the holidays?
Pack your oral care essentials and stick to your routine: brush twice, floss once, and drink plenty of water.
🦷 Kids and oral health
Encourage healthy snacks, limit sugar, and make brushing fun!
Got a question we didn’t cover? Drop it in the comments! Let’s keep those holiday smiles bright and healthy.
Happy holidays from our team to yours!