To limit the effects of Christmas indulgence on our dental health, Sameer Patel, from dental and orthodontic practice elleven, offers his expert tips on how to keep your teeth and mouth healthy over Christmas and well into 2017!
1. Don’t dismiss your routine
It is especially important that throughout the Christmas festivities you make sure that you do not ditch your oral hygiene routine. The worst thing to do is forget about your teeth over the Christmas Eve-Boxing Day period as this is prime time for indulging in chocolates, sugary foods and alcohol, all which can wreak havoc on your teeth. We need to make sure we are still looking after our teeth even amongst all the excitement, so make sure that you always brush your teeth at least twice a day, starting with when you wake up. After all, a few minutes won’t delay opening presents for too long!
2. Careful with caffeine
With all the parties and festivities, the long nights and early starts are impossible to tackle without caffeine and we seem to be relying on coffee to wake us up even more than usual, but black coffee and tea can be harmful to our teeth as they cause staining. Why not opt for a latte or extra milk, which will be less staining to the teeth, whilst the calcium content is known for its ability to help strengthen teeth and bones.
3. Be mindful of mulled wine
Mulled wine around Christmas time is always a lovely treat; whether you are drinking it at Christmas markets or you have made it yourself at home, it really warms you up and tastes delicious! It is worth being aware that it can also harm your tooth enamel and can stain and discolour teeth, so try to keep consumption to meal times and rinse your mouth with water afterwards to help prevent the damage and staining.
4. Always use a bottle opener
During the numerous parties you will be attending during over Christmas, it is highly likely that someone will be there who decides that opening a bottle with their teeth rather than a bottle opener is a great party trick. Opening a bottle or anything else with your teeth can be extremely damaging as it wears away your teeth and you may chip a tooth in the process.
5. Swap the dark for the light
Darker coloured drinks such as rum and coke are the worst offenders when it comes to damage and erosion to the teeth as they have the lowest pH so are more acidic. However, you will be delighted to know that lighter coloured drinks such as champagne and Prosecco are better options for your teeth as they have a slightly higher pH value so will cause less damage. Cheers!
6. Suss out the sinful soft drinks
It is not just the excess alcoholic drinks that can be harmful to your teeth, be mindful of the soft drinks that you are consuming too. If you are drinking a spirit and mixer, opting for a fruit juice over a fizzy mixer will be slightly kinder to your teeth. If you are drinking fizzy drinks, drink them through a straw to minimise the sugar exposure with your teeth which can lead to dental issues. Also, chew sugar free chewing gum after drinks to help neutralise the acid in your mouth that damages your teeth.
7. The proof is in the pudding
Mince pies, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding are full of dried fruit which is very high in sugar and also sticks to and in between the teeth. Make sure you floss after eating to dislodge any food residue and perhaps opt for the cheese board instead of a sweet dessert. Cheese helps to return the mouth to its natural balance and helps reduce the chances of developing tooth decay.
8. Be aware of the snack attack
With endless friends and family visits you are always around nibbles and snacks, but snacking in between meals is bad for your teeth as it increases the contact that food has with your teeth so can cause plaque to develop which leads to cavities. If you need to have a snack then try to stick to crudités as the raw vegetables help to clean your teeth naturally, or some unsalted nuts as they are full of calcium and vitamin D which help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
9. Cut back on the biting
Toffees and hard candies are out in full force at Christmas and they can pull out fillings as well as getting stuck between your teeth. These aren’t easily rinsed away so the sugars in them have longer to wear down your enamel. Instead of the sticky candies and toffees why not opt for some softer, melt in the mouth treats instead such as caramel cups or pralines.
10. Fluoride is your friend
Brushing your teeth regularly is key to keeping your teeth and gums healthy but if this isn’t possible then why not take a fluoride mouthwash in your bag so you can rinse after meals when brushing isn’t an option.
11. Treat your teeth
It is inevitable that your teeth will be overwhelmed with rich treats over the festive season but hopefully these tips will keep damage to the minimum. As it is the season for giving, why not treat your teeth to a hygienist appointment for a routine clean to make sure your efforts on keeping your teeth healthy do not go wasted. Elleven’s hygiene appointments use Air-Flow, which is the latest in hygiene technology. This polishing technique uses high pressure air and water and a specially formulated powder, which can help restore teeth to their natural colour by removing external stains such as those caused by excessive mulled wine over Christmas.
For more information about elleven, please contact elleven@pha-media.com / 0207 0251 375.