Are The Christmas Holidays a Good Time to Visit the Dentist?

It’s December and the winter holidays are fast approaching – is your smile ready to spread the cheer?

This is a concern shared by many Canadians, because thanks to Covid vaccination rates, it looks like social gatherings might be happening this year.  Last year was a bit of a wash, as restrictions meant that Christmas was a family (that lives together) only affair, but this year we’re all expecting festivities as usual (almost).  That means facetime – the real kind – with loved ones and even co-workers on occasion.  People might not have seen each other in a while, and everyone wants to make a good impression.

Speaking with dental clinics across the GTA, it’s apparent that many people aren’t happy with where their teeth and smile are at, and so cosmetic appointments are piling in.  The most common are appointments for simple cleaning procedures and lots of teeth whitening treatments.  There has also been an increase in dental veneer appointments since late summer.

It’s not just a holiday phenomenon either, as dentists have been busy since clinics reopened earlier in the year after many pandemic restrictions were eased.  It seems like everyone is playing catch-up and booking cleanings and check-ups with their dentist.  Especially cosmetic dentistry treatments have been off the charts since patients are allowed in-office again.  Dental cleanings are necessary twice a year anyway, so that’s not surprising, and teeth whitening is another simple treatment that pays big dividends, not necessarily for your oral health but more for how you look and feel.

Adding to the rush for dental appointments is the looming threat of increased restrictions thanks to the new Omicron variant potentially causing caution.  If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, it might be a good idea to book an appointment while you still can.

In case you’re wondering, cosmetic dentistry encompasses procedures like the already mentioned teeth whitening and dental veneers, but also includes crowns, bonding, dental implants and sometimes orthodontics like clear aligners.  Its purpose is to fix imperfections in your smile that don’t affect your overall bite but that will make you look good.  Chipped or broken teeth, gaps or discolouration are all treated under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry.  Things like clear aligners from SmileDirectClub or ClearCorrect are loosely grouped in as well if the alignment required is minimal.

A procedure like dental veneers is the best option to give yourself a movie star smile but it does come with a hefty price tag if multiple teeth are being upgraded.  Patients will also need to visit their dentist for at least two appointments before their new smile is complete.  The fact that so many people opt for this treatment is a testament as to how well veneers work to deliver a beautiful smile.

Teeth whitening on the other hand is very inexpensive and can be done in a single appointment that lasts about an hour.  If your teeth are already straight, or close to, then a whitening might be all you need to rejuvenate a drab smile and restore the confidence to show it off.  You could even grab a DIY at-home whitening kit from your local Shopper Drug Mart, but a professional treatment is still recommended.

At the time of writing, Christmas Eve is only 18 days away, so if an appointment with your dentist is needed, you better get it booked as soon as possible.  While you’re there ask about a cosmetic whitening to spruce up (pun intended) your smile for the holidays.