9 Holiday Dental Tips from the Best Dentist in Pittsburgh that You Need to Know

When it comes to the holiday season, Pittsburgh knows how to make spirits bright. From kicking off the season with Light Up Night to special holiday treats and deals from famous Pittsburgh businesses, staying merry and bright during the holidays is a piece of cake. However, keeping your smile healthy in the midst of all the holiday cheer doesn’t come so easy. At Sixth Street Dental Aesthetics - the best dentist in Pittsburgh - we make it our mission to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. That’s why we’re here to share 10 tips for keeping your smile as healthy as possible this holiday season without having to sacrifice the holiday cheer.

Avoid Grazing & Snacking

Keep the Snack Spreads to a Minimum this Holiday Season

The key to keeping your smile healthy is eating right and avoiding having food particles on your teeth for extended periods of time. During the holidays, there’s a good chance that holiday parties include an array of snacks and treats laid out all day. It’s tempting to graze and snack all day, but this leaves your teeth vulnerable for sticking foods. Do your teeth a favor and save your eating for mealtime whenever possible.

Teeth, Not Tools

The Best Dentist in Pittsburgh Recommends Buying Extra Scissors

While cooking for the holidays and opening presents, it’s easy to resort to opening packages with your teeth. However, doing this can seriously damage, break, or crack your teeth. That’s why the best dentist in Pittsburgh recommends investing in an extra pair of scissors or two during the holidays. Having scissors readily available (in the kitchen or by the Christmas tree while opening gifts) will help you avoid the urge to use your teeth.

Gum is the Perfect Stocking Stuffer

Chewing Sugar-free Gum During the Holidays for Your Oral Health

We get it -- you’re going to be doing a little extra snacking during the holidays. With all the tasty treats around, we don’t blame you. Help clear away leftover food particles by keeping sugar-free gum around. The extra salivation washes away remnants that can cause cavities, keeping your teeth healthy during the holiday season and beyond.

Carols While Brushing

The Best Dentist in Pittsburgh Recommends getting in Tune with Your Oral Health

It’s extra important during the holiday season to keep up with your regular brushing habits. You should brush for anywhere between 2 and 3 minutes at a time, but many people merely brush for about 30 seconds. To keep brushing for the right amount of time, hum your favorite Christmas carols while brushing for a thorough, festive clean.

Choose the Cheese Tray

Picking a Snack that is Good for Your Teeth

While we recommend avoiding snacking at holiday parties, the cheese tray makes way as a major exception. Full of calcium-rich cheeses, crunchy crackers for increasing salivation, and enough protein and phosphorous to go around, the cheese tray is the perfect choice for snacking with your oral health in mind. Additionally, cheese helps neutralize the acidity of other foods, adding spectacular benefits to your teeth.

Keep a Travel Toothbrush in Tote

The Best Dentist in Pittsburgh Recommends Keeping a Toothbrush On Hand

The holidays have a tendency to be unpredictable. From getting snowed in at a friend’s house to choosing to spend the night after a night drinking and celebrating, people are many times left without a toothbrush before bed. The best dentist in Pittsburgh recommends keeping a toothbrush on hand - in your purse or car - for occasions like this to ensure your teeth are cared for at night.

Switch from Red to White Wine

Keep Your Pearly Whites Glistening All Season Long

Wine is customarily a drink of choice during holiday dinners. However, we all know that red wine can stain your teeth despite containing ingredients that fight tooth decay and gum disease. We recommend switching from red to white, and - especially if you’re choosing red wine - being sure to brush after indulging in reds.

Kiss the Candy Canes Goodbye

Hard Candy is One of the Worst Foods for Your Smile

The best dentist in Pittsburgh knows how tempting it is to indulge in sweets during the holiday season. If you can avoid any snack, though, make sure it is candy canes. Hard and sticky candy canes can crack your teeth and stick to the surface of your teeth to cause cavities. If you can’t avoid this sugar-filled snack, be sure to brush and floss carefully after eating.

Save Dessert for After Meals

The Best Dentist in Pittsburgh OKs Dessert

While sweets and treats should generally be avoided, eating dessert after a meal can actually help keep your mouth clean. Sweet foods naturally increase salivation to wash away food particles, making it a good idea to grab a quick dessert after a meal -- that is, as long as you’re sure to brush and floss carefully afterward.

Make your oral health a priority this holiday season. Get in touch with the team at Sixth Street Dental Aesthetics today to schedule an appointment or learn about our wide variety of cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetic services.