Our guide to festive dental care

This is the season to be jolly – but when it comes to your teeth, Christmas can cause accelerated wear and tear due to overindulgence in rich foods and beverages that are usually consumed in moderation. In today’s blog we talk about festive indulgences, how they can affect your teeth and what you can do to prevent potential damage during this season.

Drink water after sugary, acidic or alcoholic drinks

Many people around Christmas and New Year will indulge more than usual in festive drinks such as mulled wine, eggnog, spiced cider and beer. Alcohol, fruit-based cocktails and punch are not only highly acidic, they are also loaded with sugar, which is terrible for your teeth, especially if your daily oral care routine isn’t up to scratch.

Be sure to rinse your mouth with plain water after each beverage, and before brushing teeth, to minimise any additional damage during the party season. This can easily be done out and about or at the dinner table – following each sugary drink with a glass of still water will wash some of the sugar/acidic residue away.

Floss carefully after indulgent meals

Meals and snacks during the festive season tend to be extra-indulgent – think processed meats, high-fat cheeses, high-sugar candies and desserts. Unfortunately all of these types of foods are fuel for harmful bacteria, which can linger on the teeth and attract a host of issues from tooth decay and damage to yellowing and plaque build-up.

To avoid this, be sure to floss carefully after each meal – especially those containing meats and certain vegetables, which can easily become lodged between teeth.

Use a fluoride mouthwash

Using a fluoride mouthwash once a day can tackle any additional plaque or bacteria build up during the holiday season. Be sure to rinse for two whole minutes preferably at the end of the day, when bacteria may have built up. If you want to ramp up your hygiene routine further, rinse with mouthwash morning and night to keep bacteria at bay and protect teeth while you sleep and during the day.

Get injuries and emergencies dealt with fast – don’t wait until next year

Unfortunately being merry can have its downsides – including dental injuries sustained at this time of year such as chipped or lost teeth. They’re not always alcohol-related, either – think falling off the ladder putting up the Christmas lights, slipping on snow and ice on your way back from shopping for gifts biting down on a particularly hard nut from the snack bowl. If you require emergency assistance over the festive period please don’t hesitate to get in touch as we do offer a rapid response full-service emergency treatment clinic throughout the season.

Don’t miss your post-Christmas hygiene appointment! Give your teeth a thorough check-up and clean.