The holiday season is finally at hand. Christmas markets fill the street and Mariah Carey is back on the radio after a year of hibernation. And with the holiday season, comes a lot of indulgence. You're probably going to be eating and drinking a lot more than usual, and often indulging in plenty of rich foods and alcohol.
All of this can have a negative effect on your dental health if you’re not careful. So here are some top tips for looking after your teeth at Christmas.
Christmas is always busy, but always make time for your regular routines. So whether you’re arriving late home from a Christmas party or dashing out the door to buy gifts, make sure you keep with your routine. This could be brushing your teeth at a minimum, but also flossing and using mouthwash.
TOP TIP: Never go to bed without brushing your teeth, as your teeth might be covered in sugar and other harmful bacteria that will have a whole night to work on your teeth.
Even though wine, spirits and other drinks are classic at Christmas, they can cause your teeth harm. Red wine can stain your teeth, white wine can erode enamel and there is a lot of sugar in cocktails! Try to use a straw whenever possible so you can easily still drink your favourites but bypass your teeth to prevent harm.
TOP TIP: Ask for metal straws for Christmas, they are non-toxic, stylish, recyclable and you can clean them whenever you want.
Soon after Christmas comes the new year when you will probably be thinking about potential resolutions. Make one to prioritise your dental hygiene. A great idea would be to ask for an electric toothbrush for Christmas. They are proven to reduce plaque and gum disease. You could also take up flossing and mouthwash if you don’t already.
TOP TIP: Using mouthwash immediately after brushing is not effective, wait half an hour!
We are not here to judge Christmas eating habits. It’s Christmas, so eat whatever you want. However, if you are thinking about what food is best to be eating, there are definitely a few smart choices. Cheese after a Christmas feast can help fix your mouth’s natural acid balance, while nuts are full of fibre, calcium and vitamins.
TOP TIP: Try not to snack so frequently, as exposing your teeth to sugar constantly can cause plaque to form. So try not to graze throughout the day, but have more snacks at one time.
Taking care of your teeth is always the priority here at Acorn Dental Health. We offer dental treatments to our clients in and around Hedge End, Southampton - including implants, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, teeth whitening and more.
As well as this we offer dental hygiene treatments such as teeth cleaning, scaling and polishing - which might be perfect after an indulgent Christmas! We are happy to see both private and NHS patients of all ages, so get in touch with us this holiday season.