The holidays are fun but can be hard on teeth, but with a little forethought, everyone can still have a great time without damaging dental health in Newcastle.

Sugar-Free Holiday Ideas for Kids

If you have kids, advent calendars are probably a huge part of the buildup to the holidays, but they don’t need to be packed with candy. Instead, replace candy with dollar store toys such as stickers, seasonal ornaments, cranes or craft supplies.

There are plenty of holiday-themed storybooks that help build excitement and are excellent for improving your child’s reading skills. Purchase a few holidays themed books or get them from your local library and read them together at bedtime.

Avoid Grazing on Food

It can be tempting to graze on holiday goodies as we are frequently surrounded by delicious food. But snacking more frequently will increase the risk of tooth decay by feeding the bacteria already present in your mouth and which create acid. The longer your mouth remains acidic, the greater the risk of tooth decay as the acid weakens tooth enamel. Instead, try to stick to set mealtimes regardless of whether it’s a sit-down meal or a buffet. In between meals, arrange for healthier snacks like vegetable crudités and yogurt-based dips or a nice cheese board.

Focus on Events Rather Than Food

It is tricky because holidays are often focused on food, but try to focus on events instead and set up other activities like movie marathons or board games or other things like craft projects that will appeal to friends and family. Who knows, it could become a brand-new tradition and is a great way to spend time with friends and loved ones.

Watch Your Wine Consumption

Lots of people love a glass of wine and especially during social events, but red wine can stain your teeth, so try to pair it with food to reduce its impact. Good tooth-friendly foods include cheese that stimulates saliva flow when you chew it and crunchy vegetables that have a slight scrubbing action on teeth. White wine can also help to discolour your teeth because it’s naturally acidic and softens tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to absorbing stains so enjoyed with caution. When drinking alcohol, it helps to have a big glass of water nearby so you can frequently rinse your mouth with water.

Fill up on Fresh Fruit Rather Than Sugary Deserts

Sugary desserts are especially popular at this time of year, but if you can, fill up on fresh fruit. If you are hosting, perhaps make one sweet dessert but provide a big fruit and cheese plate for your guests.

Protect Your Teeth While Playing Sports

Playing sports is a great way to get some exercise, but make sure you protect your teeth and jaws with a proper mouthguard. West Bowmanville Family Dental can provide and fit custom mouthguards that will give you maximum protection against a blow to the mouth.

Stick to Your Regular Oral Care Routine

Oral care in Clarington can take a bit of a back seat during the holidays, and some people might not clean their teeth frequently enough. But please remember it only takes two minutes to clean your teeth and a few minutes more to floss thoroughly and even the busiest person can spare this time, even when you are very tired and just want to go to sleep. Before the holidays begin, make sure you have plenty of toothpaste and dental floss, and why not treat yourself to a brand-new toothbrush?

Last but not least, don’t forget to visit the dentist in Courtice regularly and make sure you have your next appointment scheduled.