Christmas is a time for giving gifts, spending time with your family and friends (whether at home, online or from a distance) and of course indulging in our favourite festive foods. For many of us, that means sweet toffee treats, fruity puddings, and starch-rich foods, all washed down by a glass of mulled wine, or acidic fizzy drinks. Naturally, these will take a toll on the health of your teeth.
At Ten Dental + Facial, we are committed to providing clients with quality oral hygiene treatments every day of the year to ensure that your teeth and gums survive the holiday season in good condition.
So, to avoid any New Year dental disasters, we’ve put together some top tips for keeping your teeth healthy for Christmas and ready for 2021.
Brush and floss regularly
One way to keep your teeth healthy for Christmas is to establish a regular routine and stick to it. It’s easy to let things slip over the holidays when you might be staying up later, but regular brushing removes any residue from your teeth to keep them sparkling at all times. Include flossing as part of your routine as standard, or use an interdental pick to remove any bits of food lodged between your teeth.
Wash your mouth out
After cleaning and flossing, use a good quality daily mouthwash for maximum lasting freshness. We also advise to avoid any medicated mouthwash as this is normally designed only for short-term use.
Drink water
Still water is a good way to rinse your mouth out throughout the day, so remember to take regular drinks and swish it around your gums before swallowing.
Chew gum
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals and snacks is another good way of refreshing your palate. It stimulates the production of saliva, which is the mouth’s own natural cleaning fluid, and helps to prevent plaque or calculus building up, until you get to your toothbrush for a proper clean.
Get a pre-Christmas dental check-up
There’s never a bad time to visit a dentist for a dental check-up, but around Christmas it makes good sense to get your teeth looked at and identify any causes for concern, which you can get treated as soon as possible. We have clinics in Balham, Wandsworth and Clapham High Street – simply contact the one nearest to you for a routine appointment.
Avoid hard candy & sour snacks
If you’re worried about your teeth, avoid anything unusually hard, such as crunching boiled sweets or pork scratchings. Hard candy, toffee and caramel can also leave high levels of sticky sugary deposits on your teeth, so steer clear of all of these if you’re concerned about oral health.
Just like the extremely sweet snacks, very sour treats like tangy jellies can attack your tooth enamel with harmful pH levels, so either leave them or enjoy them in moderation when you’re coming up to your next scheduled tooth brushing time.
Replace your toothbrush
If you’re visiting friends or family for Christmas – or even if you’re staying at home – why not treat yourself to a new toothbrush. This should be more effective at cleaning your teeth and you can start a new cycle of regularly replacing it when it gets worn out over time.
The gift of a perfect smile
If you have any concerns about your dental health, or are considering any dental treatments, the team at Ten Dental + Facial are here to give you the gift of a perfect, healthy smile this Christmas. Reach out to us on social media, WhatsApp, email or phone and a member of our team will be happy to help with your enquiry.