It's hard to maintain dental hygiene at the holidays. Between foods and drinks that stain and sugary foods like pies and candy, your teeth could be significantly damaged by the time the festivities have ended. Following these tips will help you get prepared for the holidays so you can protect your teeth and avoid problems with your oral hygiene.

Buy the Right Travel Accessories

Before you go to any holiday parties, plan to bring the right dental hygiene-related accessories. Below are a few of the most helpful items that you can bring with you to your holiday celebrations:

• Travel toothbrush and toothpaste. Bring a travel toothbrush and a travel-sized toothpaste tube so that you'll have something in your purse or wallet with which to brush your teeth before and after meals.
• Sugar-free gum. Sugar-free gum isn't quite as good as a toothbrush and toothpaste, but chewing sugar-free gum can still get saliva flowing and loosen crumbs from food, and this can help keep your teeth clean. Look for sugar-free gum that bears the seal of the ADA to ensure that the gum you choose is as good for your teeth as possible.
• Tooth wipes. Tooth wipes are similar to adult wipes or baby wipes, but these wipes are specifically designed to wipe the food and stains from your teeth after a meal. If you don't feel like brushing your teeth, wiping with tooth wipes can help you avoid stains from holiday drinks like red wine and hot coffee.

Bring Tooth-Friendly Foods

If you're going to attend a family event where people are expected to bring foods to contribute to the feast, bring something that will be good for your teeth. Crunchy, fibrous foods like broccoli, celery, and apples can all help clean your teeth as you eat, much in the same way that chewing gum cleans your teeth while you chew. Bringing a tray of raw vegetables and dip will allow you to contribute to your feast while making it easier to keep your teeth clean.

See the Dentist

Plan to see a dentist, like Ashton Randall P DDS, before you go to any holiday parties this year. Getting an annual cleaning before you eat a rich holiday meal is a good way to make sure you rid yourself of calculus. Calculus--or tartar--is hardened plaque that cannot be removed by daily brushing. So if you skimp your dental visits during the holidays, there will be no way to remove all of this bacteria until your next dentist appointment. If you forgot to make your holiday dental appointment in advance of the holiday season, stop in for a same-day dentistry appointment at your local trusted dentist.