What is a festive season without decadent sugar-rich or carb-heavy foods to tempt and delight? However, our dental practitioners at Smilecraft want you to keep your Christmas cheer and have a Merry Christmas Stevenage by bearing in mind a few teeth-friendly tips to ensure that the treats you indulge in this Christmas, don’t take a toll on your teeth!
Dentist-recommended tips to ensure oral health during the festive season
You can have all the fun and a Merry Christmas Stevenage and still be kind to your teeth – just remember to implement a few important measures.
Don’t skip out on your oral hygiene practices
All dental practitioners agree that what a patient does at home to care for their teeth and gums is vitally important. This is true on any given day, but more so, during celebratory occasions where the excessive consumption of sugary foods and alcoholic beverages increases exposure to sugar and acid-loving bacteria in the mouth. Coming home tired after a late night out full of Christmas cheer, it may be tempting to sacrifice your usual night time routine of brushing and flossing, but, we advise against it – the greater risk of cavities or poor gum health has far worse consequences.
Practice moderation
It’s only Christmas so why not have that extra mince pie or another helping of Christmas pudding and yet another glass of wine? The harm lies not only in expanding the waistline, but endangering oral health too – the amount and frequency of exposure to sugar and acids ensures a steady supply of food for bacteria to grow and plaque to form. By all means enjoy a slice of Christmas cake, but be sure to limit the number of dessert portions especially during day-long celebrations.
Keep teeth and gums healthy by chewing on sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum works in two ways to promote good dental health. Firstly, it stimulates the production of saliva which is essential for the reduction of acid in the mouth. Secondly, bad breath is kept at bay, as saliva also gets rid of bad bacteria responsible for bad breath.
Choose the cheese
One of the few festive indulgences that is kinder to teeth is cheese. It has long been known that cheese helps in the protection of teeth against acid in the mouth. A cheese-based dessert is a great healthy choice to indulge in.
Leave the cracking open of bottles to the bottle openers.
Next to giving you a great looking smile, your teeth’s primary function is to support your chewing and biting capabilities. And to do these vitally important functions well, teeth need to be healthy and strong. Using teeth for all other purposes such as tearing off strips of tape or bottle caps, risks chipping or fracturing teeth enamel and leaving the door wide open for bacteria to creep in and set up camp.
Don’t let needless tooth aches dampen your celebrations this festive season. You can look after your oral health and have a Merry Christmas Stevenage. And make sure to have your teeth and gums checked by one of our well-experienced dental team at Smilecraft dental clinic.