Categories: Dental Tips

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas Dental Survival Guide for Festive Season

This is the season to be jolly and pamper yourself in a few festive treats! Our days are becoming more and more filled with celebrations that make the holidays so special and our hearts so warm. Unfortunately, these festive seasons are also likely to have us visiting the dentist a lot sooner than usual if we’re not careful.
Throughout the festive season we will be increasing our intake of sugar, whether it is through alcohol or sweet foods, so it’s important we take extra special care of our teeth and gums.
To help you get through the holiday season, we’ve listed some tips on avoiding problems and keeping your teeth as healthy as you can during this period.

• During holidays try and brush your teeth 3 times a day and don’t forget to floss or use interdental brushes at least once a day. Flossing seems to be the most forgotten or disregarded chore for most, yet it plays such an important role in dental health especially after those sugary meals. Floss is designed to get into the spaces that your toothbrush cannot reach and clean.

• Make sure you have a nice new toothbrush – While everyone is getting shiny new presents it is time to think about your teeth too. You should be replacing your brush every three to four months!

• Chew sugarless gum which creates more saliva production and helps to wash away sugar and harmful acids. Saliva is your body’s version of mouth-wash which helps to wash away the sugars that build up around your teeth.

• If you can, avoid snacking between meals and drink plenty of water – Not only will keeping up your water intake keep you hydrated in the summer heat, but water will also help wash out the sugars and other nasties from what you have been eating and drinking. Try to reduce the frequency that you are eating sugary foods, have them with meals, or all at once instead of snacking between meals throughout the day.

• Using your teeth as a tool on the simplest of non-food objects is slowly – although in some cases rapidly – breaking down your teeth. Teeth are NOT made for cracking open beers or the cracker packets. Use a bottle opener instead and the scissors on the cracker packet. Make decisions that help your teeth. Nobody wants to leave a party with half-a-tooth less than when they arrived.

• Be Merry! – Have a great Christmas and make sure to see us in the New Year!
Merry Christmas from all at Spit Road Dental! 🙂