Everyone in the office from front desk to hygienists to dentist is kind, patient, and ready to make the experience as quick yet comprehensive as possible. This is important especially for my mother who has Alzheimer’s. She always feels happy and comfortable during and after. Great service, happy to recommend!
The holidays bring a wonderful mix of celebration and chaos. There’s travel to coordinate, family gatherings that run late, schedules that look nothing like your usual routine, and—let’s not forget—an endless parade of cookies, candies, and festive drinks. It’s the kind of season where your normal habits tend to take a backseat, and dental care often gets caught in the shuffle.
If you’ve ever felt like you’ve completely lost control of your oral health during the holidays, you’re not alone. But here’s some good news: perfection isn’t what protects your smile during busy seasons. Consistency is—and consistency doesn’t mean doing everything right all the time. It just means showing up for your teeth more often than not, even when life gets messy.
The All-or-Nothing Trap
One of the biggest mistakes people make during the holidays is thinking that if they can’t stick to their full routine, there’s no point in trying at all. You miss your morning brushing because you overslept before an early flight. You forget to pack floss. You’re too exhausted after hosting dinner to do more than collapse into bed. So you tell yourself you’ll get back on track in January.
The problem with that mindset is that your teeth don’t get a holiday break. The bacteria in your mouth are just as active in December as they are any other time of year—maybe more so, given all the extra sugar they’re feasting on. Skipping care for weeks at a time gives plaque plenty of opportunity to build up, and that’s when minor issues start turning into bigger problems.
The better approach? Let go of perfect and aim for consistent enough. Even small efforts during chaotic times make a real difference.
Small Habits That Keep You on Track
When your schedule is unpredictable, the key is having a few go-to strategies that don’t require much time or mental energy. These aren’t about being perfect—they’re about maintaining some level of care when everything else feels out of control.
- Keep a travel kit handy. Toss a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss into your bag, car, or carry-on. That way, even if you’re staying overnight somewhere unexpectedly or your day runs longer than planned, you’re not stuck without the basics. It takes up almost no space and eliminates one more excuse.
- Rinse when you can’t brush. If you’re at a party and can’t sneak away to brush after eating, a quick swish with water helps. It won’t replace brushing, but it does rinse away some of the sugars and acids sitting on your teeth. It’s a 10-second habit that’s better than nothing—and way better than letting residue sit there for hours.
- Don’t skip nighttime brushing. Mornings can be unpredictable, especially when you’re traveling or dealing with a packed schedule. But nighttime is when your mouth is most vulnerable. Saliva production slows down while you sleep, which means bacteria have a prime opportunity to do damage. Even on your most exhausted nights, those two minutes before bed are worth protecting.
Give Yourself Grace on the Details
Maybe you’re not flossing as often as you normally would. Maybe you’re brushing for 90 seconds instead of two full minutes. Maybe you grabbed a manual toothbrush at the drugstore instead of your usual electric one. None of that is ideal—but it’s also not a disaster.
What matters most is that you’re still doing something. You’re not abandoning your routine entirely. You’re adapting it to fit the reality of your current situation, and that’s actually a smart, sustainable approach. Guilt and stress don’t help your oral health, but showing up imperfectly does.
The Post-Holiday Reset
Even with your best efforts, the holidays can leave your mouth feeling a little off. Your gums might seem more sensitive, or your teeth might not feel as clean as they usually do. That’s completely normal, and it’s also fixable.
Scheduling a cleaning in early January is one of the smartest moves you can make. A professional cleaning removes any tartar that’s built up over the busy season, and your dentist can check for any early signs of trouble that might’ve cropped up. Think of it as hitting the reset button—it gives you a clean slate heading into the new year, literally and figuratively.
If it’s been a while since your last visit, or if you know you’ve been less consistent than usual, don’t wait. The sooner you get back on track, the easier it is to keep small issues from becoming bigger ones.
Ready to start the new year with a fresh, clean smile? Give us a call to schedule your post-holiday cleaning. We’ll help you reset and get back on track.
Call Shelby Comfort Dentistry at 586-646-4253 for an appointment with your dentist in Shelby Township, MI. You can also schedule online.