With winter comes glistening snow and festive lights that illuminate the neighborhood. Why not have teeth that match? Impress your friends and family at the dinner table and enter the new year with a pearly sense of confidence.

Here are seven of our favorite tips to turn up the luminosity on your smile for the holidays.

#1. Stay Hydrated

Avoiding red wine is the best thing to do, but of course it can be difficult. Drinking water is as important as ever during the holidays. It may be even more important during this time of year because of all of the salty, oily and rich foods consumed.

By staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water, you can make sure that you replenish saliva, subsequently protecting your teeth from unsightly stains. Better yet, drink seltzer or carbonated water. Not only will this help you to rehydrate but the light carbonation will also help to scrub away the wine before it can stain your teeth. If you can’t avoid the red wine, then alternate glasses with plenty of water.

#2. Fortify Your Teeth With Fiber and Calcium Rich Foods

This is one of the best ways to make sure you have great teeth all year long. Calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin C are all great for your teeth, and so is fiber. Foods that are high in fiber such as dark leafy greens, celery, apples, and other vegetables and fruits are an excellent option because they help scrub away stains before they are able to set. Cheeses and other calcium-rich foods are also smart options. Hard cheeses are good choices because they act as a polish and fill in some of the spaces that might have otherwise been left for wine stains. Don’t forget to brush your teeth well after eating, though!

#3. Avoid White Wine

Did you know that white wine is some of the most acidic of all the holiday foods? The acid in white wine actually can act almost as a primer for red wine and other dark stains. The high acidity in this kind of wine also means the erosion of enamel overall, making your teeth more porous and susceptible to stains.

#4. Brush with Baking Soda

Adding a small amount of baking soda to your regular brushing routine can help dissolve away particles and stains. Limit baking soda treatments to once a week; more frequent use can erode tooth enamel.

#5. Watch Out for Dark Colored Foods and Beverages

If you like to drink coffee, wine, and other dark colored beverages, use a straw. This channels the stain-causing pigments straight past your teeth. Rich-colored foods such as blackberries and tomatoes can also darken your teeth over time. Try to brush your teeth immediately after eating these foods. If you’re out in public and don’t have your toothbrush, consider chewing gum, which brings us to our next tip.

#6. Chew Sugarless Gum

Plaque and bacteria are most active after you eat a meal. They produce acid that eat away at tooth enamel and can result in cavities. As you get older, your salivary glands produce less saliva, a natural substance which helps kill microbes and stave off tooth decay. Chewing sugarless gum stimulates saliva, helping your mouth clean itself and replace essential minerals lost due to acid erosion.

#7. Consider Teeth Whitening

When all else fails, don’t forget that at Anacapa Dental Art Institute, Oxnard near Camarillo, Ventura County we have many options for cosmetic dentistry available – including teeth whitening. Dr. Saj Jivraj offers this great tip,
“Do a quick whitening the day of or night before photos or events, giving your teeth a vibrant white and refreshed look.”

Schedule a Complimentary Cosmetic Consultation Today!

Whether you need to have a stained or unattractive tooth capped, or you want to fix significant problems with your visible teeth, veneers can provide that smile for you. When it comes to efficiency of your time and proficiency of cosmetic dentistry techniques, Anacapa Dental Art Institute is the right choice for your teeth. Contact us to schedule your private consultation today and find out why we consider our dentists as the best cosmetic dentists in the area.

About Your Oxnard, CA Cosmetic Dentist:

We look forward to providing families with exceptional care and advanced treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jivraj contact our Oxnard, CA, dental office today by calling 805-800-8289. Our office welcomes patients in and around Oxnard, CA, including Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, Ventura, and the surrounding Southern California communities.