Happy Holidays! We love this time of year in Boulder—the lights, the snow, the carols. But as dentists, we also know that caring for your teeth during the holidays can get tricky. Everyone is busy shopping and celebrating, or trying very hard not to eat too much candy.
Keeping up with daily brushing and flossing often falls by the wayside, so we’re here with a few reminders that we hope will help you take good care of your teeth over the holidays.
3 Tips for a Bright Smile This Holiday Season
Set a Reminder to Brush
Don’t let good habits fall to the wayside just because you’re extra busy or out late celebrating. It’s much harder to start a new habit than to break an old one. Setting a reminder in your phone with an alert can help you stay the course. Plaque can start to grow in as little as 12 hours, and it starts to harden into tartar within 48 hours, so it’s important not to ever skip a day of brushing or flossing.
If you normally brush your teeth before bed, but you have a lot of events coming up, you might want to change your schedule. As long as you’re flossing, brushing, and using mouthwash every day, it doesn’t really matter what time you do it. Brushing before bed can help stop plaque buildup overnight, but it’s much better to brush earlier in the evening than to forget and fall asleep.
Keep a Travel-Size Tooth Care Kit with You
Even if you’re not going to be traveling far or staying overnight anywhere, keeping a tooth care kit in your purse, backpack, or glove box is still a good idea. You never know when you might need some emergency floss for a splintered candy cane. Or you might want to freshen up your breath before you head from work to your company’s holiday party.
If so, your travel-size floss or mouthwash might just save the day. The next time you’re out shopping, stop by the drug store and raid their trial-size section for toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash. Keep them all together in a ziplock bag or a small pouch so they’re easy to find when you need them.
P. S. Toothbrushes make great stocking stuffers!
Ask Your Dentist About Teeth Whitening
A lot of holiday foods and drinks can stain your teeth, and make them look yellow in photos. But you can get a brighter, whiter smile in just a few weeks! By using professional-strength whitening trays at home, you can improve the appearance of your teeth in almost no time at all.
Get ready to “say cheese” and pose for holiday photos with an at-home whitening kit. There’s still enough time to get whiter teeth for the holidays. Most people see dramatic results after just two weeks! Give yourself the gift of a brilliant, confident smile and start spreading some joy.
Caring for Your Teeth During the Holidays at Sage Dental
Happy holidays from our family to yours! If your teeth need some extra TLC this holiday season, the team at Sage Dental Care is ready to help. Family-owned and operated since 2010, we offer reasonable fees, high-tech comfort, and two convenient locations. Schedule an appointment in Lafayette or Boulder today—we would love to make your smile a little brighter!