No matter how much you love your smile and take great care of your teeth, it is recommended to follow these tips in order to avoid emergency trips to the dentist’s office in the holiday season.

‍1. Do not crack nutshells with your teeth.

‍You know how important proteins are for your body. They help to keep muscles and bones strong but you should not test the strength of your teeth by shelling nuts with them. The hard surface of most nutshells can cause serious tooth and gum damage, and may even crack teeth. Remove the outer shell on your nut portion before snacking on them.

‍2. Avoid chewy sweets.

‍Holiday candy platters are often loaded with treats that can harm your teeth. Sticky substances “glue” to tooth enamel and encourage tooth decay, and thick candies like caramel and taffy candy can even remove fillings. Eat these sweets sparingly and along with other foods to help keep the treats from sticking to your teeth.

‍3. Use proper tools to open packages and bottles.

‍Holidays are the season for gifts and love. When getting gift presents, do not use your teeth to open any packages. Gripping a package or opening bottle caps with your teeth can crack them, possibly leading to teeth fracture and need for root canals and/or crowns. Give your mouth a great gift – use scissors or bottle openers instead.

‍4. Avoid chewing on hard candy or ice cubes.

‍Crunching on ice or hard candy can lead to cracked or chipped teeth, which are painful and expensive to treat. Whether you’re enjoying a sweet or finishing the ice in your holiday cocktail, let it dissolve naturally. Better yet, skip these items altogether. Ice can cause discomfort for sensitive teeth, and hard candies promote tooth decay.

‍5. Say “NO” to nail-biting.

‍The holidays can be stressful, but biting your nails or removing nail cuticles with your teeth won’t bring relief. Anxious nibbling is bad for both fingernails and teeth. The habit is linked to teeth grinding, clenching, jaw problems, facial pain and sensitive teeth. If you get the urge to chew, distract yourself for a minute or two and see if the feeling goes away. If that doesn’t work, consider buying a bitter-tasting polish that’s designed to dissuade you from putting your nails anywhere near your mouth.

‍6. Get a Night Gard

‍The holidays can be stressful! and stress may cause Bruxism, which is fairly common and some may not even be aware of their own grinding. Some signs you may be a teeth-grinder are waking up with dull headaches, jaw soreness, face pain, and fatigue since it can disrupt sleep. In some cases, it’s the bedroom partner who hears the grinding. Call our office for a complimentary evaluation (305)857-0990.

Source ASA, American Sleep Association.

If you want to have a sparkling smile for the holidays, make sure to call the office for your dental check-up routine at (305) 857-0990. For more information about our office, visit www.sharpdentistry.com

Reference: Delta Dental

The oral health information on this website is intended for educational purposes only. You should always consult a licensed dentist or other qualified health care professional for any questions concerning your oral health.