It’s December which can only mean one thing, it’s The Festive Season. Office Parties, later than usual nights out and the Christmas holidays, all of which can take a toll on your dental health.

We’re here to give you some tips on how to ensure your dental health doesn’t suffer (too much!) over the next month and what you can do to help.

1. Don’t forget to brush. Try and stick to your usual dental routine, especially brushing after a night out just before bed. Yes, we know that one is particularly hard when you just want to hit the sack but you’ll thank us, oh and don’t forget to floss!
2. Treat yourself. As Christmas is a time for giving why not treat yourself to a new toothbrush. It’s important to change your toothbrush regularly, so if you don’t have one already, why not upgrade to an electric (or battery powered) toothbrush, you’ll notice the difference (and so will we!).
3. Beware of the Mince Pies. Mince Pies, Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding to name a few. We know they taste great but they are usually high in sugar, so limit your self to just one! There’s always next year! Maybe have some cheese after, which brings us nicely to the next point.
4. Have a Cheeseboard. Surprisingly there’s quite a lot of food at Christmas which is actually GOOD for your teeth, cheese being one. Cheese helps to return the mouth to its natural acid balance and help reduce the chances of developing tooth decay. Turkey is also great for your teeth, Turkey contains both phosphorus and protein, which are great at fighting decay and strengthening your teeth and finally nuts, which have tremendous amounts of fiber, folic acid calcium, and other vitamins. So there’s no excuse to say no to some extra Turkey at Christmas lunch!
5. Watch the wine. We all love a glass of wine or two at Christmas, but white wine can be very acidic and contribute to enamel erosion, try drinking it just at your main meal, as drinking little and often is far worse than drinking once a day. Red wine can also increase the risk of staining, especially if you forget to brush your teeth as often as you should with the distractions of festive fun! If you are drinking red wine, try to remember to leave a gap before you brush your teeth to remove any stains
6. Use a straw. This is a great one for the kids (and some of the adults too!). We know everyone likes to drink soda and fizzy drinks but using a straw will limit the amount of sugar comes into contact with teeth, minimising the amount of damage done.
7. Carry some gum. Chewing gum stimulates saliva which helps rid your mouth of the plaque which stagnates after eating, plus if you’re attending parties, keeps your breath fresh! But please make sure the gum is sugar free.

We hope that our tips help you over the next month, if you feel like you’ve over done it, why not book an appointment to see us in January and make sure you start 2018 in perfect dental health.

All that’s left is to wish you all the best for the Festive Season and a wonderful 2018!