TL;DR Summary
The holidays are here, and so are the treats! To keep your smile safe this Christmas, stick to the Nice List: Cheese (neutralizes acid), Turkey (protein), and crunchy veggies (natural scrubbers). Be careful with the Naughty List: Candy canes (can crack teeth), sticky toffee (clings to enamel), and sugary eggnog. Pro Tip: If you do damage a tooth on a hard treat, use your remaining 2025 insurance benefits to fix it before December 31st!
All I Want for Christmas is… A Healthy Smile?
The halls are decked, the playlists are festive, and the calendar is packed with holiday parties. For most of us in Omaha, Christmas is synonymous with food. From the office cookie exchange to the family feast, delicious temptations are everywhere.
While we want you to enjoy every moment of the season, we also want you to ring in the New Year with a healthy, cavity-free smile. The truth is, some holiday staples are surprisingly good for your teeth, while others are dental disasters waiting to happen.
To help you navigate the buffet table, the team at Parr Dental has checked our list twice. Here is your official Dental “Naughty or Nice” Guide to holiday eating.
The Nice List: Dental Superstars
Fill your plate with these items to keep your teeth strong and your tummy happy.
- Cheese & Charcuterie Boards
- Why it’s Nice: Cheese is a dental superhero. It is rich in calcium and contains casein, a protein that strengthens tooth enamel. Even better, eating cheese raises the pH level in your mouth, neutralizing the harmful acids that cause cavities.
- The Verdict: Go ahead and grab that extra cube of cheddar or slice of brie!
- Turkey and Ham
- Why it’s Nice: Holiday meats are loaded with phosphorus and protein, two key nutrients that help rebuild tooth enamel and keep your jaw bone healthy.
- The Verdict: The main course is safe! Just be mindful of sugary glazes on the ham.
- Crunchy Veggie Trays
- Why it’s Nice: Carrots, celery, and broccoli act like “nature’s toothbrush.” Their crunchiness increases saliva production (which washes away food particles), and the fibrous texture physically scrubs the surface of your teeth as you chew.
- The Verdict: The perfect appetizer to balance out the sweets.
- Nuts (Without the Shells!)
- Why it’s Nice: Nuts like almonds and walnuts are low in sugar and high in calcium and minerals.
- The Verdict: Great for snacking, but… never use your teeth to crack the shells! That’s a one-way ticket to an emergency appointment.
The Naughty List: Proceed with Caution
These foods aren’t forbidden, but they should be consumed with care (and a glass of water nearby).
- Candy Canes & Hard Candies
- Why it’s Naughty: These are a double threat. First, they are almost 100% sugar, creating a bath for oral bacteria. Second, and more dangerously, biting down on a hard candy cane is one of the most common ways patients crack or chip a tooth during the holidays.
- The Fix: Don’t bite them! Let them dissolve, or skip them entirely.
- Sticky Toffee, Caramel, & Dried Fruit
- Why it’s Naughty: Texture matters. Sticky foods act like glue, adhering sugar directly to the tooth enamel for hours. Saliva has a hard time washing this sticky residue away, giving bacteria plenty of time to cause decay.
- The Fix: If you indulge, rinse with water immediately and brush your teeth as soon as you can.
- Eggnog & Sweet Cocktails
- Why it’s Naughty: We often drink more sugar than we eat. Eggnog is thick, sugary, and coats the mouth. Alcohol also dries out the mouth (reducing saliva flow), which lowers your natural defense against cavities.
- The Fix: Alternate every festive drink with a glass of water to rinse your mouth and stay hydrated.
- Starchy Snacks (Crackers & Chips)
- Why it’s Naughty: It’s not just sugar you have to watch. Starchy refined carbs turn into a pasty goo that gets trapped between teeth, breaking down into simple sugars that feed bacteria.
- The Fix: Floss after the party!
The “Grey Area”: Staining Foods
Love a glass of Red Wine or a warm cup of Coffee with dessert? While delicious, these dark liquids are notorious for staining teeth. If you want your smile to sparkle for holiday photos, drink these through a straw (if possible) or rinse with water right after.
Dreaming of a White Christmas? If holiday stains are getting you down, learn how we can brighten your smile in our Complete Guide to Cosmetic Dentistry in Omaha.
Did You Crack a Tooth on the “Naughty List”?
Accidents happen—especially when peanut brittle or candy canes are involved. If you feel a sudden pain or notice a chip, don’t wait until January.
Remember: You likely have 2025 Dental Benefits that expire on December 31st.
If you need a repair, a filling, or a crown, getting it done now allows you to use the insurance money available to you before it vanishes on New Year’s Day.
Read the full guide: Don’t Lose It! Your Guide to Maximizing 2025 Dental Benefits Before They Expire
Happy Holidays from Parr Dental!
From our family to yours, we wish you a joyous Christmas filled with laughter, love, and delicious (tooth-friendly) food.
Need a post-holiday cleaning or a last-minute repair? Our schedule is filling up fast before the year ends. Call us today to secure your spot!