Now, we’re not one to kill your festive cheer or put a dampener on the incoming Christmas party season, but it would seem putting on a few pounds throughout the month of December could be the least of your worries.
Looking after your Teeth at Christmas
With so many chocolates and high sugar drinks to tempt you every where you turn, you need to spare a thought for the effect on your teeth and gums. The new year brings a positive and healthy start, not just aesthetically but internally too. We don’t want you stay away from your favourite treats, just to be aware of how to minimise the potential damage.
The issue isn’t the amount of sugar we expose our teeth too, its how often, so there is some good news! Constant grazing on high sugar food is never a good idea, so eating your chocolate all at once will be welcome news to the chocoholics amongst us!
Research around Christmas and Chocolate
Recent figures show that in the two weeks leading up to Christmas, Brits spend an astonishing £52.8 million on chocolate alone. In total, the UK spends an estimated £256 million on confectionery during the holidays. A medium-sized selection box contains a whopping 81 grams of sugar. This equates to 270% of adults’ recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 30g. Other major culprits are Christmas pudding and the Yuletide log, with the average servings containing 139% and 43% of your sugar RDA, respectively.
There are also hidden sugars in most alcoholic drinks, high in sugar is Prosecco and champagne but also in fruit juices, a suggestion would be to drink water as well, this will not only help your teeth but your potential hangover!
Reduce the risk and protect your teeth
So, how can we minimise the risk? We’re well aware that the recommended practice is to brush our teeth twice a day. However, it’s crucial not to let that habit slide, especially during busy and festive days. Another essential step is flossing. Unlike a toothbrush that primarily cleans the outer surfaces of teeth and gums, floss serves as an interdental cleaner. It is specifically designed to tackle the tight spaces between teeth and the gaps between the base of teeth and gums—areas that a toothbrush cannot reach.
We bring good news for all your cheese lovers! Cheese is great for your teeth. Not only does it have high levels of phosphate and calcium, which naturally strengthen teeth and bones, but it also helps balance the pH level in your mouth, which means less harmful acid, more cleansing saliva and fewer cavities. So reaching for that cheeseboard could be a better option than the selection box this year.
You could always ask Santa for an electric toothbrush If you feel that you could improve your daily brushing. The cleaning experience is more powerful and more thorough, the bristles getting deeper between the teeth and removing more plaque, meaning less fillings and healthier gums.
Above all, indulge and enjoy your festive break with loved ones, but keep your dental hygiene routine intact, and look forward to 2020 with healthy teeth and gums.
For more information on your oral health please contact us here.
