5 Tips To Keep Teeth Healthy Over The Holidays From My Local Dentists Northmead
The most wonderful time of the year is a few weeks away, and of course, everyone will be eating and drinking a lot MORE than usual.
Everyone enjoys all the food and drinks that we prepare for the season, and our teeth are very useful in helping us enjoy them.
But it is not surprising that your oral health may not be your priority during the time of over-indulging, spending time with your loved ones, while enjoying the holiday festivities.
Here are 5 tips to keep teeth healthy over the holidays, that can help you enjoy the season completely, for you and your family.
#1. Eat your treats in one sitting
It’s better to eat your chocolate coins in just one sitting, or as part of a meal, rather than munching on them all day.
Eating sweets like chocolates and candies, over a long period of time, is worse for your teeth than eating it all at once.
#2. Teeth and tape don’t mix. Scissors are your tool of choice
We’ve all been there. It’s almost Christmas, and you’re left wrapping up to the last minute. You’re hurriedly keeping the roll of paper in one hand while ripping off strips of tape with your teeth.
STOP! This can damage teeth. Instead of using your teeth, use a pair of scissors to cut off strips of tape.
#3. Be careful of the Christmas toffee and candy canes
Christmas chocolate boxes often come with the popular, but very sticky toffees. This time of year, we also enjoy candy canes.
Candy canes and toffees are accidents waiting to happen if you have a tooth restoration.
Toffees can pull off dental restorations, such as fillings, crowns, bridges, or veneers, and candy canes are well-known to break our teeth.
Try eating chocolates that melt and leave the mouth quickly to limit any damage.
#4. Counter the effects of acidic drinks with water
Christmas wouldn’t be perfect without a sparkling drink (that pack a punch on your overall oral health!)
Did you know that Prosecco is one of the most damaging drinks if drunk often? The acids, sugar and alcohol levels in Prosecco can damage your teeth if regularly consumed.
The same thing applies to drinking a lot of softdrinks and even juice. Don’t think that because your softdrink is sugar-free, it is already safe for your teeth.
These drinks are often high in damaging acids and can cause as much, if not more damage, to the enamel of our teeth.
Enjoy your drinks in moderation and make sure you limit the erosive effects on your teeth enamel by drinking lots of water in between glasses.
Where possible, adding ice to your drinks reduces the risk of damage to your teeth as it doesn’t only dilute your drink, but also reduce the amount of acid.
Keep in mind that chewing on ice can damage healthy tooth enamel and can break teeth, especially if you have dental restorations and sensitive teeth. The cold can also worsen dental pain.
#5. Always remember to brush
Christmas holiday is a busy time for all but brushing your teeth regularly should not be forgotten.
Be sure to brush your teeth for 2 minutes, at least twice a day. It can be helpful to you to brush your teeth when you wake up before you do anything else.
Don’t forget to brush your teeth or drink water after eating.
If you don’t brush regularly, you could put your teeth and gums at increased risk of developing dental problems we don’t want to occur.
With the upcoming festive season, it’s time to enjoy the most fantastic time of the year.
Remember to give your oral health extra love and attention!
Dental Care in Northmead
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our team at My Local Dentists Northmead!
My Local Dentists Northmead is your trustworthy dentist in the Northmead area. The appearance of your smile and its underlying health is vital to us.
Our expertly trained staff treats all dental issues, including complicated problems related to other health conditions.
Our commitment to our patients is optimal dental health and a stunning smile.
We make life a little bit easier for our patients by offering late hours on weekdays and weekend appointments.
GAP FREE CHECK-UP AND CLEAN
We offer all patients gap-free check-ups, cleans and all preventative treatments if you are in a private health fund ($180 for patients not in a private health fund).
Call us on (02) 9630 9996 or book your appointment online.
We are located at 19/5-7 Kleins Rd in Northmead.