On the first day of Christmas…Park Street Dental Clinic gave me some handy tips to keep my mouth healthy during the Festive Season.
Day 1: Beware of the buffet
Grazing throughout the day is a bad habit we often adopt during the festive season, but constantly nibbling is much worse for teeth than sticking to set mealtimes. If you find yourself snacking, try to choose tooth-friendly options, such as raw vegetables or cheese.
Day 2: Don’t brush after bubbly
Sparkling wine is both sugary and acidic, which is doubly harmful to tooth enamel – if you’re enjoying a glass (or two) make sure you wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth to minimise the damage. The same rule applies to all acidic foods and drinks.
Day 3: Choose toys instead of treats
Rather than giving your children an advent calendar filled with sugary treats, swap it for a countdown full of fun family games, jokes, or puzzle activities.
Day 4. Carol as you clean
Most people don’t brush for the optimal two minutes each time, but if you hum a few verses of your favourite festive songs while you clean your teeth, you’ll likely hit the target.
Day 5: Don’t cut tape with teeth
Using teeth as a tool is a common cause of dental emergencies over the festive season. Ripping open presents, tearing off labels, or cutting tape with teeth may save a few seconds, but it may also lead to chipping or breaking a tooth. Always take a moment to find some scissors to prevent any accidental damage to your teeth.
Day 6: Take more turkey
Turkey is actually one of the healthier festive foods for our teeth – the protein contains phosphorous, which strengthens teeth and bones. Go ahead, tuck in!
Day 7: Keep drinking water
Regularly drink water throughout the day to rinse food particles and bacteria from your mouth and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Choosing water rather than soda or fruit juice over the festive season will help to lower your overall sugar intake.
Day 8: Choose dark chocolate over sticky toffee
Banning sweet treats may be unrealistic over the festive season, but you can minimise the risk to your teeth by avoiding hard sweets that may crack teeth or sticky sweets and toffees that stay in your mouth for extended periods of time.
Day 9: Watch your wine glass
Excited pets and children, crowded social environments, and full wine glasses create a perfect storm that can result in some unexpected festive dental disasters. Keep an eye on your surroundings if you are raising a glass to your lips in a crowded area.
Day 10: Don’t forget your regular routine
The festive season can throw everyone off balance, but neglecting your oral hygiene routine can have serious long-term consequences – it only takes two minutes to brush thoroughly twice a day, and another minute or so to floss!
Day 11: Pack your toothbrush
Going away this Christmas? Don’t forget to pack the essentials – toothbrush, toothpaste, Tepe brushes, floss, and any current treatments (e.g. Invisalign trays).
Day 12: Make a check-up appointment
Start 2023 on a positive note by making a routine dental and hygienist appointment at Park Street Dental Clinic to keep your teeth and gums in top condition.
