The holiday season brings cozy gatherings, festive treats, and—of course—delicious seasonal drinks. While these beverages help set the mood, many of them aren’t very kind to your teeth. High sugar content, acidity, and staining ingredients can weaken enamel and increase your risk of cavities. Before you sip your next seasonal favorite, here’s a closer look at 3 popular holiday drinks that can be surprisingly tough on your smile.
1. Hot Chocolate
A warm cup of hot chocolate is a winter classic, but it comes with a sugary downside. Most versions—especially the instant packets—are loaded with sugar, which feeds the bacteria that produce cavity-causing acids. When you add marshmallows, flavored syrups, or whipped cream, the sugar level jumps even higher.
Additionally, hot chocolate tends to be sipped slowly, giving sugars more time to cling to the teeth.
Tip: Enjoy it occasionally, rinse with water afterward, and consider using a straw to reduce direct contact with your teeth.
2. Holiday Lattes and Specialty Coffees
Peppermint mochas, caramel brulée lattes, gingerbread coffees—these festive drinks are undeniably delicious, but they’re also acidic, sugary, and known to stain teeth. Coffee’s natural acidity can weaken enamel over time. Combine that with syrups, whipped cream, and added toppings, and your teeth are exposed to a perfect storm for decay and discoloration.
Even dairy or plant-based milks don’t completely protect your enamel since many are sweetened. Slow sipping throughout the morning keeps your teeth in contact with sugar and acids for hours.
Tip: Opt for half-sweet versions, skip the syrup-heavy add-ons, and drink water between sips to neutralize acidity.
3. Mulled Wine and Holiday Cocktails
From mulled wine to spiced sangria to cranberry cocktails, many holiday alcoholic drinks contain sugar, citrus, or deep pigment—all of which threaten your smile. Red wine is a known stainer, but the warm spices in mulled wine can also cling to enamel. Citrus-based cocktails increase acidity, which softens enamel and makes staining even easier. Alcohol also causes dry mouth, reducing saliva’s natural ability to wash away bacteria.
Tip: Drink water alongside your cocktail and avoid brushing immediately after drinking acidic beverages—wait at least 30 minutes to prevent enamel damage.
You don’t have to skip your favorite holiday beverages completely—just enjoy them mindfully. Drinking water between sips, limiting added sugars, and maintaining your brushing and flossing routine can help protect your teeth throughout the season. With a little care, you can savor every holiday flavor while keeping your smile healthy and bright.
About the Practice
At Artistry Smile Center, we’re building beautiful smiles with general dentistry in Columbus. We’ve kept families smiling since 2004 with regular dental checkups and cleanings, tooth decay assessment, screenings for oral cancer, and more preventive services. From our comfortable, modern office to our caring, knowledgeable dental team, you’ll enjoy your experience here. Come see why we’re a trusted provider of general dentistry. Schedule an appointment online or call (614) 451-7393.