Holiday teeth care tips: How to protect your oral health (and implants)

The holiday season is filled with joy, family, and festive foods. But between sugary treats, travel, and a change in routine, it’s also a time when your oral health can face some extra challenges. Whether you have natural teeth or a dental implant restoration, maintaining good oral care during the holidays can ensure your smile stays healthy and bright.

In this blog, we’ll cover simple tips to protect your teeth and implants, keep your smile looking its best, and avoid unnecessary complications during the holiday season.

Why the holidays can be hard on your oral health

During the holidays, many factors can make it harder to maintain your regular dental care routine. Here’s a breakdown of why it can be tough:

Sugary foods, snacks, and drinks

Between holiday desserts, sugary drinks, and sweet snacks, it's easy to indulge. But these treats can increase the risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and irritation around dental restorations. Frequent exposure to sugar can contribute to tooth decay, and plaque causes gum irritation around implants.

Busy schedules and disrupted routines

With extra events and travel, you might find it harder to stick to your usual dental care routine. Skipping brushing and flossing or not being able to clean your teeth after meals, can lead to the accumulation of food particles and bacteria, which may cause irritation or gum problems.

Cold weather and travel challenges

Cold air and dry climates can lead to dry mouth, which can affect your ability to rinse away food and bacteria naturally. Traveling may also interrupt your regular hygiene habits, making it more difficult to keep your teeth and implants clean.

Eating tips for protecting dental implants

While it’s tempting to indulge in all the holiday flavors, there are some ways to enjoy the season’s treats without putting your dental health at risk.

Foods to limit or avoid, and ways to enjoy festive meals

Some foods can be particularly challenging for both natural teeth and dental implant restorations. Try to limit:

• Sticky or chewy candies (such as caramels or taffy)

• Hard candies or brittle (which can potentially crack or damage teeth or restorations)

• Crunchy foods like the accidental unpopped popcorn kernel or very hard nuts
  
  

 Foods that are a great choice

• Softer desserts, like mousse, or cakes that don’t have sticky frostings

• Stews, soft meats, and vegetables that are easy on your dental work

• Hydrating fruits, such as watermelon, or a refreshing salad
  
  

Staying hydrated to support oral health

Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dry mouth, rinse away food particles, and maintain moisture in your mouth. Sipping water throughout the day is a great habit to support both your implants and natural teeth. Plus, it helps neutralize acids produced by sugary foods.

Keeping up your dental care routine while traveling

The holidays often involve travel, which can make it trickier to keep up with your oral care routine. However, with a little planning, you can maintain your dental health while on the go.

Pack a travel dental kit

When you’re on the road, make sure to bring:

• A toothbrush and toothpaste

• Dental floss or interdental brushes

• A small bottle of mouthwash (or mouthwash tablets for convenience)

• A protective case for your removable appliances (if applicable)
  
  

Don’t skip brushing and flossing

Maintaining your regular brushing and flossing routine is essential, even when you’re away from home. If you can’t brush immediately after a meal, drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum can help remove food particles until you can brush.

Choose water or sugar-free gum after meals

When brushing isn’t possible, drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva, which helps wash away food debris and neutralize acids in the mouth. This is especially important when you're traveling or at holiday events.

Habits to avoid for healthy implants

Certain habits may put your implants and natural teeth at risk. Here are a few to avoid:

Using teeth to open packages

Using your teeth to open packages, bottles, or food containers can cause chips, fractures, or stress on your dental restorations. Always use scissors or a proper tool to avoid unnecessary damage.

Chewing ice, nuts, or hard candies

Very hard foods can stress your teeth and implants. Chewing on ice, nuts, or hard candies can potentially break or damage your dental restorations. If you can’t resist, be sure to enjoy these items in small bites and with caution.

Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption

Smoking and excessive drinking can increase the risk of infection, irritation, and dry mouth.

When to contact your dental team during the holidays

Even with the best precautions, sometimes things can go wrong. Here’s when you should reach out to your dental team:

Signs of irritation or implant discomfort

If you experience any of the following, don’t hesitate to contact your dentist:

• Swelling or redness around your implants

• Pain or discomfort that doesn’t improve with basic care

• Sensitivity or changes in the way your implants feel
  
  

What to do if a crown feels loose or painful

If you have a loose or painful crown or restoration, it’s important to contact your dentist promptly. Your team can guide you on next steps to ensure everything stays in place and to prevent any complications.

Holiday oral health care FAQs

What foods should I avoid with dental implants during the holidays?

Avoid very hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could stress your dental implant restoration. Focus on softer options to keep your smile in good shape.

Can I travel after dental implant surgery?

It’s best to check with your dental care team before traveling after surgery. In general, once you’ve healed sufficiently, most patients can travel with no issues.

What if I forget to brush while traveling?

If you miss brushing while traveling, make sure to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash and chew sugar-free gum to help maintain oral hygiene until you’re able to brush.