Smile-Ready for the Holidays: How One Patient Saved Her Thanksgiving 

The Emergency That Almost Ruined Thanksgiving

It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving when Samantha bit down on a piece of homemade brittle—and felt a sharp, unmistakable crack. She froze at her kitchen counter, surrounded by half-prepared cranberry sauce and sweet potato pie ingredients.

“Please don’t let this be what I think it is,” she muttered, pressing her tongue against the jagged edge of her molar.

Her tooth had cracked. Badly.

With family arriving from out of state, a long grocery list still to tackle, and no time to sit in a waiting room, Samantha’s heart sank. The last thing she wanted to deal with before hosting Thanksgiving dinner was a dental emergency.

She grabbed her phone, searching for “emergency dentist in Chino,” and stumbled across CL Family Dentistry. What caught her eye wasn’t just the stellar reviews—it was a line on their website that read: “Compassionate, same-day care when you need it most.”

Within an hour, she was sitting in the dental chair, being greeted with warmth that immediately eased her anxiety.

The Power of Timely, Compassionate Care

At CL Family Dentistry, Dr. Kyung Choi and Dr. Diana Lee understand that emergencies don’t wait for convenience. Cracked teeth, sudden pain, or lost fillings tend to happen right when life feels busiest—before holidays, weddings, or big family moments.

Samantha explained her situation with a nervous laugh. “I can’t cancel Thanksgiving. My mother would never forgive me.”

Dr. Lee smiled reassuringly. “We’ll take care of you. You’ll be smiling—and eating pumpkin pie—by Thursday.”

After a quick digital X-ray and exam, they discovered the crack hadn’t reached the root. Samantha needed a same-day dental crown to restore the tooth’s strength and prevent further damage. By the next morning, she was back home, sipping coffee and texting photos of her restored smile to her sister. Thanksgiving was officially back on.

A Smile You Can Feel Confident About Around the Table

For Samantha, that appointment didn’t just save her dinner plans—it restored her confidence.

“Last year, I barely smiled in our family photos,” she admitted at her follow-up visit. “My teeth looked so dull, and I hated seeing myself in the pictures. I think that’s why I avoided going to the dentist in the first place.”

Dr. Choi nodded, understanding. “You’re not alone. Around the holidays, we see a lot of patients who want to brighten their smiles for family gatherings or year-end parties. The good news is, it’s easier than most people think.”

That’s when he introduced Samantha to professional teeth whitening—a safe, effective treatment that delivers noticeably brighter results in just one appointment.

The Secret to a Naturally Brighter Smile

Unlike drugstore whitening strips or gels that can irritate gums and deliver uneven results, CL Family Dentistry’s take-home whitening system uses custom-fitted trays and professional-grade gel designed specifically for each patient’s teeth.

Dr. Choi compared it to cooking with the right ingredients. “When you follow a professional recipe, you get consistent results,” he said. “It’s the same with whitening—you’ll see brighter, even results without harming your enamel.”

Samantha began her whitening treatment the week after Thanksgiving. Within ten days, she noticed her teeth looked dramatically brighter—just in time for her company’s December holiday party.

Why Holiday Timing Matters for Your Teeth

The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s are notorious for overindulgence—sugary treats, red wine, coffee, and cranberry sauce—all of which can stain enamel and increase cavity risk.

But this season can also be the perfect time to invest in your smile. Whether it’s a whitening touch-up or addressing a lingering issue, treating yourself to professional care before the year ends brings peace of mind and confidence heading into the new year.

CL Family Dentistry encourages patients to schedule early—before the holiday rush or end-of-year insurance deadlines. “Your smile deserves the same attention you give your health and home during the holidays,” says Dr. Lee.