Christmas is such a magical time of year; spending time with family and friends, buying and wrapping gifts and singing Christmas carols. However, indulging in delicious festive treats throughout the season can leave your teeth and gums at higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Our dentists and therapists have shared their top tips on how to look after your oral health this festive season to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, ready to ring in the New Year!
Keep up your usual oral health routine
This sounds obvious but at such a busy time of year, filled with parties and late nights, we know how tempting it is to skip your usual oral health routine and fall straight into bed. Spending just two minutes brushing your teeth and gums before you go to bed will help to remove plaque, prevent tooth decay, gum disease and extra trips to the dentist!
If you are staying away over Christmas, be sure to pack your toothbrush, mouthwash, interdental brushes and any specialist equipment such as retainers or cleaning fluids.
Snacking in moderation
Oh, go on then, just another one!
Chocolate advent calendars, canapés, crisps and mince pies are just some of the tasty treats that we love to indulge in at Christmas. However, grazing on these sugary foods regularly throughout the day will cause a build-up of plaque on your teeth which could lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Can’t resist? Try some sugar-free chewing gum after eating. This will help to increase your saliva production, neutralise acids and strengthen tooth enamel.
Champagne anyone?
Nothing says Christmas more than a glass of Champagne or Prosecco, but did you know how acidic and sugary they are?
Drinking acidic drinks can weaken the enamel on your teeth. Moderation is key but always wait an hour after drinking sparkling wine to brush your teeth or you may damage the enamel layer of your teeth even further.
Please DON’T use your teeth as a bottle opener!!!
If there’s one way to guarantee an emergency trip to the dentist over Christmas, it’s using your teeth as a bottle opener. Not only does this habit wear down the enamel on your teeth it can very easily lead to a crack or chip which can be painful and require further treatment.
And, on the same note, using your teeth to rip Sellotape for wrapping presents is just as bad!
Drink plenty of water
Not only will it keep you hydrated over the festive season, drinking water will help to wash away bacteria and food particles left on your teeth that contribute to weakening enamel and tooth decay.
Put an electric toothbrush on your Christmas list
Electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque from your teeth and are generally less abrasive than a manual toothbrush. They are easy to use and usually come with a built-in timer, so you know exactly how long to brush your teeth for.
They can help to reduce instances of tooth decay and are also useful for brushing your tongue which can help with bad breath.
It’s not too late to put it on your Christmas list and you’ll soon notice a difference to your smile!
Schedule a post-holiday check-up with your dentist or hygienist
Your teeth go through a lot over Christmas, so why not treat them to a post-holiday clean with your hygienist and start the New Year with a sparkling smile?
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort after the festive period, then don’t forget to visit your dentist sooner rather than later to sort out any minor problems before they turn into bigger ones!
For information on our Christmas opening hours this year, please click here.
If you are a registered patient of The Private Dental Centre and require emergency care, please phone the practice on 01205 352892 and follow the instructions on the answering machine.