Class ONE Dental Clinic, Kennedy Town | 2026 Lunar New Year Oral Care Guide
Why is there always a rush for teeth cleaning before the New Year? Every year on the eve of Lunar New Year, dental clinics in Hong Kong see a wave of teeth cleaning appointments. Large numbers of people book cleanings as if it had become an essential New Year ritual. Some believe that having their teeth cleaned before the New Year lets them welcome the spring feeling fresh, while others do it out of respect for tradition. But is it really a good idea to have your teeth cleaned or start braces around the New Year? This seemingly simple question actually involves a number of medical, psychological and practical considerations. In this article, Class ONE Dental Clinic takes an in-depth look at the pros and cons of teeth cleaning and orthodontic treatment before and after the New Year, to help you make the wisest decision.
Why Does a Teeth Cleaning Rush Happen Before the New Year?
The pre-New Year teeth cleaning rush is a uniquely Hong Kong social phenomenon, and there are several deeper reasons behind it. The first is cultural and psychological. In traditional Chinese culture, the New Year symbolises a new beginning and new hope. Many people in Hong Kong want to welcome the spring in a fresh state, including with tidy teeth. Teeth cleaning removes stains and tartar from the tooth surface and makes the teeth look whiter and brighter, and this visual improvement gives people a sense of psychological satisfaction. Having your teeth cleaned before the New Year has become a kind of symbolic “cleansing” ritual, representing leaving behind the troubles of the past year and welcoming the New Year with a fresh start.
The second is the influence of practical considerations. Many people worry that dental clinics will be closed during the New Year holiday, so that if a problem arises with their teeth during the holiday they will have nowhere to go. They therefore prefer to make sure their teeth are in good condition before the holiday and have a preventive cleaning. In addition, many people in Hong Kong take part in a lot of social activities and gatherings during the New Year, and an attractive smile matters especially on these occasions. Regular teeth cleaning removes surface stains from tea, coffee and smoking, making the teeth brighter, which is particularly appealing to people who want to look their best during the New Year.
The third important factor is New Year resolutions. Many people set new goals and plans at the start of the year, including health-related goals. Regular teeth cleaning is seen as an important step in maintaining oral health, and many people include it in their New Year health plans. In addition, some people associate teeth cleaning with traditional auspicious meanings such as “making a fortune” and “attracting wealth”, and believe that having their teeth cleaned before the New Year brings good luck. Although these beliefs have no scientific basis, they remain widespread in folk culture.
Teeth Cleaning Before the New Year: A Medical Perspective
Although the intention behind having your teeth cleaned before the New Year is good, from a medical point of view there are some risks worth noting in having a cleaning at this time. Based on dentists’ clinical experience, any dental treatment before the New Year may increase tooth sensitivity. This is because teeth cleaning involves using ultrasonic instruments to break up tartar, which may expose tiny pores on the tooth surface and cause tooth sensitivity. For some patients, this sensitivity can last for weeks or even months.
More importantly, there is the difficulty of getting dental care during the New Year. If you experience tooth sensitivity, pain or other discomfort after a cleaning, you will be unable to see a dentist right away during the New Year holiday. Many dental clinics close for anywhere from a few days to more than ten days during Lunar New Year, so patients cannot get professional dental care in time. Discomfort while waiting greatly reduces how much patients enjoy the New Year holiday. By contrast, if you have your teeth cleaned after the New Year, you can see a dentist immediately and get the problem resolved should any discomfort arise.
In addition, having your teeth cleaned before the New Year also comes with the challenge of food temptations. There are many family gatherings during the New Year, with a wide variety of food, much of it high in sugar or likely to stain. The tooth surface after cleaning is relatively vulnerable and easily affected by New Year foods. Hard foods common at the New Year, such as melon seeds and nuts, as well as high-sugar foods such as sweets and sugary drinks, can all put extra stress on freshly cleaned teeth and damage them.
Tooth Sensitivity and the Clash with New Year Food
There is a clear clash between New Year food culture and the condition of teeth after cleaning. Feasting during Lunar New Year hides a risk of cracked teeth, especially when the teeth have already become sensitive because of a cleaning. Foods commonly eaten at the New Year include melon seeds, peanuts, sweets, New Year cake and cured meats, many of which require considerable chewing force. For people whose teeth are sensitive after a cleaning, these foods may cause tooth pain or further damage.
At the same time, drinking alcohol and eating acidic foods also increase during the New Year. Drinks such as red wine and fruit wine contain acids that erode tooth enamel. The tooth surface is more vulnerable after a cleaning and its resistance to acid is reduced, so drinking alcohol during the New Year speeds up acid erosion of the teeth. In addition, many of the fresh fruits and vegetables and vinegar-pickled foods eaten during the New Year also contain acids, which can likewise damage the teeth.
To enjoy New Year food to the fullest, having your teeth cleaned after the New Year avoids post-cleaning tooth sensitivity spoiling your enjoyment of New Year meals, and also allows any necessary dental repair and care to be carried out after the New Year.
The Best Time for Orthodontic Treatment
Unlike teeth cleaning, the golden period for orthodontic treatment is after the permanent teeth have fully come through, at around twelve to seventeen years old, but orthodontic treatment for adults is equally possible. However, the period around the New Year is not an ideal time to start orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment is a long-term treatment plan, usually taking one and a half to three years. If you start braces before the New Year, you will need to adjust your eating and cleaning habits during the New Year, which can be quite uncomfortable for people used to eating freely over the holiday.
More importantly, it is difficult to have regular adjustments and follow-up visits for braces during the New Year holiday. Orthodontic treatment requires regular return visits to adjust the appliance, usually once every four to six weeks. If a patient misses a scheduled follow-up during the New Year holiday, the progress of the whole orthodontic plan will be delayed, which has a negative effect on the results of the whole treatment. Starting orthodontic treatment in February or March after the New Year both ensures there is enough time for pre-treatment preparation and allows a regular course of treatment to begin straight after the New Year holiday ends.
For patients who want to improve the appearance of their teeth before the New Year, regular teeth cleaning can improve how the teeth look without complex treatment. Teeth cleaning removes surface stains and makes the teeth look whiter and brighter, which is already enough for social activities during the New Year. For those who want a fundamental improvement to the appearance of their teeth, such as through orthodontic treatment, a more suitable time should be chosen.
The Advantages of Having Dental Treatment After the New Year
Compared with having dental treatment before the New Year, having it after the New Year has several significant advantages. The first is ample time to seek care. After the New Year holiday ends, all dental clinics return to normal opening hours, and patients do not need to worry about being unable to see a dentist immediately if a problem arises. If any discomfort occurs after a cleaning or other treatment after the New Year, patients can contact the clinic straight away to book a follow-up and resolve the problem promptly.
The second is better treatment results and a better patient experience. When having a cleaning after the New Year, patients can carry out appropriate aftercare and recovery following the cleaning, without immediately facing the food challenges of the New Year. After a cleaning, it is recommended to avoid foods that are too hard, too hot or too cold, as well as drinks containing pigments. When the cleaning is done on an ordinary working day, patients find it easier to follow these recommendations and so get better results from the treatment.
The third advantage is a more regular treatment plan. For orthodontic treatment or other treatment that requires multiple return visits, starting after the New Year gives more regular progress. Patients do not need to worry about follow-up visits being delayed by the holiday, and the whole treatment plan can go more smoothly. In addition, New Year resolutions made after the New Year often strengthen patients’ motivation and cooperation, which is an important factor for treatments such as orthodontics that require active patient participation.
A Complete Guide to Oral Care Before and After the New Year
To protect your dental health as far as possible while still enjoying the food of the New Year, oral care should be carried out in stages. Two weeks before the New Year, having a comprehensive oral examination and assessment lets you understand the current condition of your mouth. If your teeth are in good condition, you can choose to have a teeth cleaning. If tooth decay, gum disease or other oral problems are found, they should be treated immediately rather than waiting until the New Year holiday.
During the New Year, adopting a sensible eating strategy helps protect your teeth. Although there is a wide variety of food over the New Year, practise moderation and avoid eating too much hard, high-sugar or easily staining food. Rinse your mouth immediately after eating and clean with dental floss to prevent food from remaining on the tooth surface. If you have eaten foods that stain easily, such as red wine or dark tea, rinsing with plain water can reduce the effect of staining substances on the teeth.
After the New Year, arranging a follow-up check-up helps the dentist assess whether any problems have arisen with your teeth during the New Year, and carry out any necessary repair or care. If a patient is planning orthodontic treatment, after the New Year is also an ideal time for the initial assessment and consultation.
Teeth Cleaning Myths and FAQ
Question 1: If my teeth become sensitive or painful after a cleaning before the New Year, but I cannot see a dentist during the New Year holiday, what should I do?
Before your cleaning, talk fully with the dental clinic and find out their opening arrangements for the New Year holiday. Many clinics keep some emergency service during the holiday, and asking in advance whether there is an emergency contact number can help you cope later. After the cleaning, follow your dentist’s care advice, including avoiding food that is too hard or too cold and using toothpaste for sensitive teeth. If you have severe tooth pain during the New Year, you can consider taking painkillers for temporary relief and see a dentist straight after the New Year holiday for proper treatment. Having your cleaning after the New Year avoids having treatment on the eve of the holiday that carries follow-on risks.
Question 2: I would like an orthodontic consultation before the New Year. Will this affect my New Year plans?
An orthodontic consultation in itself will not affect your New Year plans. A consultation is only an assessment and discussion with the dentist to understand the specifics of orthodontic treatment. However, if you start formal orthodontic treatment before the New Year, you will need to adjust your diet and cleaning habits during the New Year, which may affect your normal life during the holiday to some extent. Having the orthodontic consultation and assessment before the New Year, so that you fully understand the requirements and timetable of the treatment, and then starting formal orthodontic treatment after the New Year, both preserves your freedom to eat during the New Year and ensures that the treatment has enough preparation time and a continuous schedule of follow-up visits.
Question 3: How do I know whether I need a teeth cleaning? How should the frequency of cleanings be determined?
In general, healthy adults can consider having a teeth cleaning every six months to one year. However, for particular groups such as smokers, people undergoing orthodontic treatment and patients with gum disease, a cleaning every three to four months is more suitable. The most accurate way to judge is a professional dental examination. By examining your teeth and gums, the dentist will assess whether plaque and tartar have built up and whether there are signs of periodontal disease. Based on these findings, the dentist can advise you on the most suitable frequency for cleanings. In addition, a patient’s daily brushing habits, eating habits and lifestyle also affect whether a cleaning is needed. If you brush correctly and look after your teeth well every day, you may be able to extend the interval between cleanings. It is best to have regular oral check-ups and work with your dentist to draw up the oral care plan that suits you best.
