Christmas is traditionally a time of overindulgence and enjoying all the foods and drinks we love, but it can also be a challenging time for our teeth. An abundance of sweet treats, a more relaxed attitude to oral health and activities which could cause tooth injuries all combine to increase the risks of a dental emergency. To help you avoid a trip to an emergency dentist this Christmas we’ve put together a few top tips.
Choose tooth friendly snacks
Yes we know that you are all waiting to tuck into Christmas cake, chocolates and indulgent drinks, but these sugary treats leave the teeth open to acid attack, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Opting for more of the tooth friendly snacks such as cheese, will help to neutralise acids and keep your teeth healthy. Who doesn’t love a cheese board after Christmas dinner?
Don’t use your teeth as a bottle opener
You probably think you would never be crazy enough to attempt this, but believe us, once a few Christmas drinks have been consumed you might be tempted to show off your ability to crack open a beer with just your teeth. This is one of the most common reasons for chipped, cracked and broken teeth over Christmas, so we advise you to keep a bottle opener handy for you and your guests, and keep your teeth safe.
Beware of crunchy foods
Nuts, crudites and popcorn might look appealing, but beware of the damage hard, crunchy foods can do to your teeth. If you have dentures, veneers, fillings or braces you may want to take extra care when eating crunchy foods, to avoid a dental emergency this Christmas. To stay on the safe side, opt for softer alternatives such as cooked vegetables, warm chestnuts and cheese.
Keep up your oral health regime
The sweet treats and drinks that we all like to enjoy at this time of year, leave our teeth open to invasion from the bacteria that can lead to plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. This means it is more important than ever to keep your teeth and gums clean. Remember to brush twice and day and use an interdental brush or floss to clean between the teeth. Leave a gap between consuming sugary foods or drinks and brushing your teeth, otherwise you risk rubbing the acid created when eating into the enamel of your teeth.
Don’t cancel those pre-Christmas appointments
We understand that there are a million and one things to do in preparation for Christmas, but your pre-arranged dental appointments should also be on your to-do list. Taking the time to attend your check up and hygiene appointments will help to identify and treat any issues now rather than letting them escalate over Christmas.
Emergency dentist at Riverside Dental Spa
We hope that you don’t need to contact us in an emergency, but if you do, you’ll find more information here.
