Caring for your teeth over the festive season
The festive season is a wonderful time of year full of fun, celebrations and indulgence. However, with all the excitement, it’s easy to forget about your dental health. From sugary treats to late nights, the holidays can leave your teeth more vulnerable than usual. Here are our top tips for keeping your smile in great shape over Christmas.
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a tin of sweets and chocolates. However, sticky toffees and hard-boiled sweets are a common cause of lost fillings and broken teeth during the festive season. Enjoy them in moderation and try to avoid biting down on hard sweets.
Nuts are a Christmas classic, but they can also be a teeth cracker. Cracking nuts with your teeth can chip, crack or even break them. Always use a nutcracker and avoid biting down on hard nut shells. Your teeth will thank you for it.
Well cooked crispy crackling is a festive favourite, but it can be surprisingly hard and difficult to chew. This makes it another common teeth cracker during the holiday season. Take small bites and chew carefully to avoid any unwanted dental surprises.
The festive season is full of sugary temptations — from mince pies and Christmas pudding to fizzy drinks and mulled wine. Sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay, as bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and produce acids that attack tooth enamel. If you do indulge, try choosing dark chocolate over milk chocolate, as it contains less sugar and is easier on your teeth.
Diet drinks may seem like a healthier alternative, but they are often highly acidic and can cause erosion of the tooth enamel over time. Tea, coffee and red wine are also popular over the festive period, but these can stain your teeth. Smoking further contributes to staining and can cause significant damage to your oral health. Try to drink water between other beverages to help rinse away acids and reduce staining.
The festive season can be busy with late nights and early mornings. It’s tempting to skip brushing your teeth before bed, but this is when it matters most. Plaque bacteria build up throughout the day, and if teeth aren’t cleaned before sleep, the bacteria have all night to attack your teeth and gums. Make sure you brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day using a fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss — this removes plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach.
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If you need dental advice this festive season or want to start the New Year with a check-up, contact us — we’re here to help. Book your dental appointment with our experienced, friendly team.
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