Dental Hygiene Tips for the Holiday Season
You should keep brushing twice a day and flossing once a day through the holidays, because plaque builds up at the same rate on December 25th as on any other day. Eat sweets with meals rather than grazing on them through the afternoon — saliva flow is highest at mealtimes — and reach for cheese, nuts and crunchy vegetables in between. And never use your teeth to tear packaging or crack nuts; cracked teeth and broken fillings are a common January complaint.
Orion Dental Team
Led by Dr. Fahimay Naqvi
The holiday season is a time for celebration, family, and — let's be honest — a lot of eating. From gingerbread and candy canes to hot chocolate and holiday cocktails, our mouths work overtime between November and January. Add in disrupted routines, travel, and late nights, and it is easy for dental hygiene to slip down the priority list.
At Orion Dental in Scarborough and Milton, we see a noticeable uptick in dental issues in January — cracked teeth, new cavities, and flare-ups of existing problems. A little mindfulness during the holidays can help you avoid starting the new year in the dental chair for the wrong reasons.
More
sugar than usual over the holidays
2x
daily brushing — even on holidays
20 min
acid attack after each sugary treat
Jan
a natural time for a checkup
Keep Your Routine — Even When Your Schedule Changes
Holiday schedules are unpredictable. Late nights at parties, sleeping in during time off, and staying at relatives' homes all conspire to disrupt your normal routine. But your teeth do not take holidays — plaque builds up at the same rate whether it is December 25th or any other day of the year.
The most important thing you can do is commit to brushing twice a day and flossing once a day, no matter what. If your schedule is shifting, anchor your brushing to breakfast and the last thing you do before bed — even if “bed” is at 2 a.m. after a holiday gathering. Keep a travel toothbrush and toothpaste in your bag for overnight stays.
Travel Tip
Pack a dental travel kitwith a compact toothbrush, travel-sized fluoride toothpaste, floss picks, and a small bottle of mouthwash. Having it ready removes the excuse of “I did not have my toothbrush with me.”
Snack Smarter — Not Less
We are not going to tell you to skip the holiday treats — that would be unrealistic and no fun. Instead, focus on how and when you eat them. The worst scenario for your teeth is constant grazing on sugary foods throughout the day, which keeps your mouth in a prolonged acidic state.
A smarter approach is to enjoy sweets with meals, when saliva production is at its highest. Saliva helps neutralise acids and wash away food particles. Between meals, reach for tooth-friendly options from the holiday spread — cheese, nuts, vegetables with dip, and water.
| Holiday Treat | Dental Risk | Smarter Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Candy canes / hard candies | Prolonged sugar exposure + cracking risk | Dark chocolate — melts quickly, less sugar contact |
| Toffee / caramel | Sticks to teeth, pulls out fillings | Soft chocolate truffles — dissolve faster |
| Gingerbread cookies | Moderate — sugar + flour cling to teeth | Enjoy with a meal, rinse with water afterward |
| Dried fruit / fruitcake | Sticky, high in concentrated sugar | Fresh fruit platter with cheese |
| Eggnog / hot chocolate | High sugar, sipping throughout evening | Limit to one serving, follow with water |
Put Out the Vegetable Platter
If you are hosting, make sure the crudites platter is front and centre — not hidden behind the dessert table. Crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery, bell peppers, and broccoli florets act as natural tooth scrubbers, stimulating saliva and helping to remove food debris between brushings.
Cheese is another holiday hero for dental health. It raises the pH in your mouth, provides calcium and phosphorus for enamel strength, and stimulates saliva production. A well-stocked cheese board with whole-grain crackers is both a crowd pleaser and a tooth-friendly centrepiece.
Tooth-Friendly Holiday Foods
- Raw vegetables — carrots, celery, snap peas, bell peppers
- Cheese — cheddar, brie, Swiss, gouda
- Nuts — almonds, cashews, walnuts (avoid cracking shells with teeth)
- Fresh fruit — apple slices, grapes, berries
- Water — still or sparkling (unflavoured)
- Turkey and lean proteins — no sugar impact on teeth
Start the New Year with a Clean Smile
Book a post-holiday checkup and cleaning at Orion Dental.
Dental Stocking Stuffers for the Family
Looking for small, practical gifts? Dental items make surprisingly well-received stocking stuffers — especially for children who enjoy novelty. A new toothbrush in a fun colour or featuring a favourite charactercan reignite a child's interest in brushing. For adults, consider flavoured floss, a tongue scraper, or a travel-sized whitening toothpaste.
This is also a good reminder to check whether family members' toothbrushes need replacing. The Canadian Dental Association recommends a new brush every three months — and the start of a new year is a natural time to make the swap. If you are considering an electric toothbrush as a gift, many people find the built-in timer and steady motion make it easier to brush thoroughly for the full two minutes.
Stocking Stuffer Ideas
New Toothbrush
Fun colours or characters for kids, electric for adults. Replace every 3 months.
Flavoured Floss
Mint, cinnamon, or bubblegum flavours make flossing more enjoyable for the whole family.
Mouthwash
Travel-sized fluoride rinse — great for tossing in a bag for holiday outings.
Lip Balm with SPF
Protects lips from cold winter air and sun exposure during ski trips and outdoor activities.
Stop Using Your Teeth as Tools
It happens every holiday season — someone uses their teeth to rip open a gift, crack a nut shell, tear packaging tape, or pop a bottle cap. And every January, we see the results: cracked teeth, broken fillings, and chipped enamel that could have been easily avoided.
Your teeth are designed for chewing food — not as a substitute for scissors, pliers, or bottle openers. Keep a pair of scissors handy during gift wrapping and opening. Use a nutcracker for nuts. And please — never open bottles with your teeth. A single moment of convenience can lead to a costly and painful dental repair.
Holiday Dental Emergency?
If you crack a tooth, lose a filling, or experience sudden pain over the holidays, contact Orion Dental for emergency dental care. Call 416-291-0306 (Scarborough) or 905-636-9770 (Milton).
Consider a Pre-Holiday or New Year Whitening
If you have holiday photos, office parties, or a New Year's Eve celebration coming up, professional teeth whitening can give your smile a noticeable refresh. Coffee, tea, red wine, and certain foods contribute to surface staining over time, and a professional treatment can address discolouration that over-the-counter products cannot fully remove.
A pre-holiday whitening session is also a great motivator to maintain your results by being more mindful about staining foods and drinks throughout the season. Pairing whitening with a cosmetic dentistry consultation can help you explore additional options for enhancing your smile heading into the new year.
Ring In the New Year with a Healthy Smile
The holiday season should be enjoyable — and it absolutely can be without sacrificing your dental health. Keep your brushing routine consistent, snack mindfully, put out the veggie platter, resist the urge to use your teeth as tools, and schedule a comprehensive checkup to start the new year right.
Book your holiday or new-year appointment at our Scarborough or Milton office. Book an appointment or call 416-291-0306 (Scarborough) / 905-636-9770 (Milton).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about dental care during the holidays
How do I maintain dental hygiene during the holidays?
Stick to your regular brushing and flossing routine — twice a day, two minutes each time. If your schedule is disrupted, set a phone reminder. Keep a travel toothbrush in your bag for overnight stays and holiday parties.
Which holiday treats are worst for teeth?
Sticky sweets like toffee, caramel, and candy canes are particularly problematic because they cling to teeth and are difficult to brush away. Hard candies that you suck on for extended periods also expose teeth to prolonged sugar and acid.
Is it okay to eat sweets during the holidays?
Absolutely — moderation is the key. Enjoy treats with meals (when saliva production is highest), rather than grazing on sweets throughout the day. Rinse with water afterward and brush at the next opportunity.
Should I schedule a dental appointment before the holidays?
A pre-holiday dental visit is a great idea. It gives your dentist a chance to catch any issues before they become emergencies during the break, and a professional cleaning helps you start the season with a fresh, healthy mouth.
What dental emergencies are most common during the holidays?
Cracked teeth from hard foods (nut shells, hard candy, ice), lost fillings or crowns from sticky treats, and toothaches from untreated cavities are the most common holiday dental emergencies we see.
Can red wine stain my teeth during the holiday season?
Yes. Red wine, coffee, tea, and dark-coloured foods can contribute to surface staining, especially with increased holiday consumption. Rinsing with water between glasses and maintaining regular brushing helps minimise discolouration.
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