From family dinners and yummy treats to time away from home and regular routines, the holidays can be a little hard on your oral health. However, with a little guidance from a general dentist in Rancho Mirage, CA, you can return from your holiday excursions without a bit of concern for the health of your smile. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as the holidays approach.

1. Keep a travel-sized oral care kit in your car or suitcase

Travel-sized oral care kits should include:

• A toothbrush or two
• A small tube of toothpaste
• Flossers
• A small bottle of mouthwash (optional)

When you have everything you need on hand, it will be less likely that you are stuck using a finger to brush your teeth in the guest bathroom when you are away from home.

2. Limit sweet treats at bedtime when visiting family

Most of us have stayed with family at some point during the holidays. These holiday gatherings can be an opportunity to catch up until late at night while nibbling on whatever sweet treats are still hanging around after dinner. If you don’t have a toothbrush with you, keep the sugary treats to a minimum.

3. Watch out for sugary beverages

Some common holiday beverages can have a terrible amount of sugar, such as:

• Egg nog: 1 cup, 20g of sugar
• Hot chocolate: 1 cup, 28g of sugar
• Mulled cider: 1 cup, 15g of sugar

If you know you won’t be able to brush for a while, opt for water, and if you do indulge, be sure to grab your travel oral care supplies before bed.

Work with a Rancho Mirage Dentist for a Proactive Oral Health Care Plan

Even though you are bound to do a little indulging through the holiday months, you can still walk away with a healthy smile. Need a little help from a Rancho Mirage dentist? Reach out to us at Cros Dental to schedule an appointment.