How do you picture Christmas day? Everyone slumped on the sofa, with their waistbands straining, a large tin of brightly coloured wrapped chocolates, a pile of nutshells or a few empty glasses of your favourite tipple? The festive season is full of fun and indulgence but be aware that all these wonderful culinary delights can put a strain on your dental health.
It is very important to be extra vigilant with your oral health over the festive period, if you want to avoid a dental visit in January. Remember your teeth are under attack from the sugars and acids in our foods for up to an hour every time you eat or drink. With regular snacking during the festivities this may mean that your teeth never really get a chance to recover.
The team at Ringmer Dental have come up with five top tips to keep your teeth looking their best into 2019
- Beware fruit juice
Citric fruits such as satsumas and clementines may be a rich source of vitamin C and other nutrients in these winter months, helping to prevent coughs and colds and mouth soreness during winter. But be sure to get your vitamin C from real fruits and vegetables rather than juices, besides being high in sugar, most fruit juices are quite acidic, and can lead to erosion of the tooth enamel. Fruit juices are fine in small amounts, but drink them with meals, or use a straw to minimise how much juice comes into contact with your teeth.
- Beware dried fruits
During the drying process the sugars present in the fruits are concentrated. This means that a holiday favourite such as dates can contain as much as 63g of sugar in every 100g, which is more than is in some chocolate bars! Dried fruits will provide sugars for the bacteria in your mouth for many hours after you have eaten them because of the way they stick to teeth, causing decay and cavities.
- Consider an alternative advent calendar
Instead of buying a traditional advent calendar with hidden chocolates this Christmas, why not consider one of the many alternative advent calendars available filled with candles, make-up or why not go traditional and pick a picture advent calendar.
- Maintain your oral hygiene routine
Brush for two minutes at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental aids to clean between teeth daily. Teeth take a bit of a hammering, with all the chocolates, sugary foods and drinks and alcohol consumed over the festive period so it is especially important to maintain your oral hygiene routine. This will ensure you are always mistletoe ready!
- Moderation in all things
Bear in mind that it is not the quantity of sugary food and drink you have, but how often you have them that will affect your oral health. Try to limit sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes wherever possible and drink acidic and fizzy drinks through a straw to reduce the time the liquid is in contact with your teeth.
All the team at Ringmer Dental would like to wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Should you have any dental problems during the festive period do not hesitate to contact the surgery on 01273 813898 for details of our out of hour emergency cover.