Should I brush more during the holiday season?
The holidays bring joy, family and plenty of extra treats. So, right around this time, our patients ask us ‘Should I brush more to make up for the extra cookies and candy?’
Short answer: not exactly. The best approach is to keep up reliable, effective brushing and add smarter, targeted habits rather than frantic extra brushing. Experts recommend brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste as your baseline. That routine provides the most protection against cavities and gum disease.
Why not just brush more? Because quality matters more than quantity. Rushed or aggressive brushing — especially right after acidic foods or drinks — can wear enamel. Instead, focus on coverage (front, back, chewing surfaces, gumline), use a fluoride toothpaste, and don’t skip flossing.
How much sugar is too much?
A bigger holiday risk is how often you expose teeth to sugar. Research shows that frequent snacking on sugary items raises your risk of cavities even if the total amount of sugar isn’t huge. In other words, grazing on candy throughout the day is worse than enjoying a single dessert with a meal. During festive seasons, people often increase both the amount and frequency of sugary treats — that’s when problems start.
3 tips to help you stay cavity-free this holiday season
If you do indulge, try these practical, research-backed moves:
Rinse with water after sweets or acidic drinks to dilute sugars and acid. If you can’t brush, rinsing helps.
Chew sugar-free (xylitol) gum for 10–20 minutes — it stimulates saliva, which neutralizes acids and helps clear food.
Wait 30–60 minutes before brushing if you’ve had acidic foods or drinks (citrus, wine, soda). Brushing too soon can damage softened enamel.
Brush before bed (if you only do one brush well, make it the bedtime brush), and floss daily to remove trapped holiday-food particles.
Other holiday-proofing tips: swap to an electric toothbrush if patients want an easier, thorough clean, replace worn toothbrushes, and avoid constant snacking on sticky sweets (they cling to teeth). Encourage kids to keep to regular brushing times — routine helps maintain protection during the busy season.
Fewer treats, not more brushing
Bottom line: don’t panic and try to out-brush every candy. Stick to twice-daily, two-minute brushing with fluoride, floss once a day, reduce how often you snack on sweets, and use rinsing or sugar-free gum right after indulgences. Those measures will protect smiles better than extra, hurried brushing. If you or a family member notices sensitivity, persistent pain, or a new cavity, book a dental check sooner rather than later.