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Five tips to protect your teeth over Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and it brings many delicious treats and temptations, especially after such a difficult year! However, mince pies and your festive tipple, together with late nights (in!) and poor dental hygiene, can take their toll on your teeth. To help you stay on track and protect your teeth during the festive season, we’ve collated our five top tips:

1. Brush after sticky food

Christmas cake, pudding and mince pies are laden with dried fruit, which is high in sugar that can stick to your teeth. Sticky toffees and sweets eaten frequently put your teeth under constant attack.

It is therefore important to pay extra attention when brushing your teeth over the festive season. Parents can check their children are brushing sticky food from their teeth especially before bedtime, no matter their excitement that Santa is coming!

2. Clean your teeth well

You should brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes using toothpaste containing ≥1450ppm fluoride, as this helps protect teeth from cavities. However, you must spit not rinse when you’ve finished brushing, to avoid washing the protective fluoride away.

Interdental brushes or dental floss can be used to remove sticky plaque from in between your teeth. It’s important to supervise children’s brushing, and to remind family of all ages to brush their teeth thoroughly before they go to bed, even on Christmas Eve!

Click to watch our hygienist Gill show how best to clean your teeth.

3. Use a bottle opener

Teeth were never designed to open bottles, nor should they be used to open packets of crisps or nuts, to tear off labels or to cut tape when wrapping your presents! Always take a moment to find the bottle opener or scissors to prevent any damage to your teeth. If you do chip, break or crack a tooth, contact your dentist to book an appointment to fill the tooth or smooth rough edges.

Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day Bank Holiday (Monday) and New Year’s Day, but for emergency appointments our patients can ring the clinic number and get directed to our dentist on call, who will give you advice and emergency treatment if needed (emergency fees apply).

4. Don’t forget the cheeseboard!

After all your festive feasting, save a little space for the cheeseboard. Cheese is great for your teeth as it neutralises plaque acid, which helps prevent tooth decay. Eating cheese increases the amount of saliva in the mouth, which is the body’s natural way of maintaining a healthy pH level. And, cheese releases chemical compounds that can form a protective layer on teeth, which protects against acids that attack teeth enamel.

5. Resolve to see your dentist in the new year!

If you haven’t seen your dentist or hygienist for awhile, make a New Year’s resolution to book an appointment to look after your teeth and smile.

We wish you all a Safe and Merry Christmas, and here’s to a Healthy and Happy New Year for all!

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At Doral Family Dental our mission is to provide care to our patients at a reasonable cost, we have advanced technology and highly trained professionals to meet the needs and high expectations of our patients.

Five tips to protect your teeth over Christmas