The holiday season often brings joy, but for many, it also ushers in feelings of stress, anxiety, and burnout. Heavy social obligations, travel, shopping, crowded spaces, messy schedules, and family pressures can take a toll during this busy time of year. However, focusing on self-care can help you better manage the tensions of the season. An excellent place to start is to care for your smile. Maintaining your dental hygiene routine and listening to your mouth’s needs can relieve holiday burdens in surprising ways.
- Stick to a Regular Brushing and Flossing Schedule
With so many holiday festivities and disruptions to your normal routine, it can be tempting to let your daily dental care slide. However, staying on top of basics like brushing twice a day and flossing is crucial. The bacteria, acid, and sugary foods prevalent during the holidays create the perfect storm for tooth decay and gum inflammation. Don’t give them the upper hand! Take a few minutes in the morning and before bed to brush and floss like normal. Your teeth and gums will thank you.
- Watch What You Indulge In
Holiday treats are everywhere you look, but be mindful of your intake. Excessive sugar, starch, and acid from candy, cookies, eggnog, and other seasonal delicacies wreak havoc on your enamel. Make sure to balance indulgences with plenty of water, fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese, and other saliva-stimulating foods that reduce acidity. Not only will this save your smile, but balancing blood sugar levels also helps stabilize your mood and energy.
- Address Any Oral Pain Immediately
Hectic holiday schedules mean many people put up with nagging mouth pain rather than get it addressed promptly. However, toothaches, jaw soreness, and gum irritation left unchecked can spiral out of control quickly. Don’t ignore your mouth’s distress signals! Book a dental visit to identify and resolve the issue. You’ll alleviate pain, prevent bigger problems down the road, and avoid unnecessary suffering during a time meant for joy.
- Consider a Holiday Teeth Whitening Treatment
Nothing boosts holiday confidence and self-esteem like a bright, refreshed smile! The holidays provide the perfect occasion for professional teeth whitening to remove stains. Our in-office procedures deliver dramatic results quickly. You can also opt for our take-home kits for a more gradual whitening. With your calendar filled with photos, parties, and reunions, whitening ensures you beam with your brightest, healthiest smile. You’ll exude confidence and happiness.
- Get a Massage for Jaw Tension
Clenching, grinding, and jaw tension often spike during the stressful holidays. This not only causes pain and headaches but also chips away enamel and places undue force on teeth. Give your jaw muscles some relief! Make an appointment with us about a bite guard. We can create one that relieves the pressure on your jaw and reduces the damage of teeth grinding.
The hustle and bustle of the holidays shouldn’t mean sacrificing your oral health routine. In fact, finding ways to care for your smile may provide much-needed moments of self-care amid the chaos. Follow these tips to keep your mouth merry, bright, and stress-free all season long!
Need to make an appointment? Call 909-989-5598 or schedule online to make an appointment at Jia Y. Lee, DDS in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
