Are These Christmas Oral Care Hazards Sneaking Up On You?

Tips for our Bedford patients on getting through the festive season with no dental issues.

Christmas has a habit of creeping up on us faster than expected and, before long, we will find ourselves surrounded by tins of chocolates, trays of mince pies, bowls of nuts, and more fizzy drinks than we normally touch in a whole month (or year in some cases). It is all part of the fun, and no one expects people to pick at salad leaves while everyone else tucks into festive treats. What is worth keeping in mind, though, is that this time of year is especially hard on teeth. With a bit of awareness though, you can still enjoy the celebrations without giving your teeth more trouble than they can handle.

Sweets, chocolates and the sugar binge

One of the biggest challenges for the mouth over the festive period is how often we graze. A chocolate here, another one an hour later, a quick handful of biscuits by mid-afternoon. Each small sugar hit gives the bacteria in the mouth fuel to produce acids, and those acids are what soften and damage enamel. The more frequently this happens, the longer the enamel spends in that softened state and doesn’t have time and opportunity to revert to its protective harder state.

You do not have to avoid sweets altogether, but it helps to gather them into fewer occasions rather than nibbling constantly. Having a small treat after a meal is less harmful than taking repeated snacks throughout the day. A drink of water afterwards also helps clear away the sugar more quickly, as well as any food particles that have become stuck between the teeth.

Fizzy drinks and festive alcohol

Soft drinks, sparkling wines, fruit ciders and similar festive beverages are often acidic as well as sugary. People are sometimes surprised to learn that the acidity alone, even before sugar is added, can wear down enamel if the exposure is frequent. Sipping slowly over long periods is what usually causes the most trouble.

One simple tip is to alternate with water or a non-acidic drink. If you enjoy something like mulled wine or sparkling rosé, try not to hold it in the mouth while drinking. The less time the acid stays on the teeth, the easier it is for your enamel to recover naturally.

Sticky foods that cling to teeth

Toffees, fudge, chewy caramels and similar sweets are common at Christmas and unfortunately tend to get stuck in every corner of the mouth. Because they cling so tightly, they keep the sugar in contact with the teeth for much longer than something like chocolate which melts more quickly.

Making sure that you never eat these last thing at night, and then head to bed without brushing, is one of the quickest ways to invite problems.

Hard nuts and the risk of cracks

A bowl of mixed nuts looks harmless, but every year we see people who crack or chip a tooth after biting down on a stubborn shell or even on a poorly roasted nut. Teeth that already have older fillings or hairline fractures are the most vulnerable.

If you like nuts, make sure that you crack them with a proper nutcracker rather than your teeth. Never try to open nutshells with your mouth, no matter how tempting it is at that moment. It is one of the most common causes of emergency appointments at The Dental Centre Bedford at this time of year.

Festive snacking late at night.

Christmas often leads to late evenings, long films, and extra bowls of snacks on the table. Once people are tired, they often forget to brush their teeth or just give them the most cursory of brushings. Overnight is exactly when bacteria have the most time to work because the mouth becomes drier while you sleep, an enviroment in which they thrive. So do make sure to brush your teeth well before you go to bed and that nothing but water passes your lips until the morning.

Stress, rushing around and forgotten routines

Not all holiday hazards come from food. The Christmas period can be stressful, and many people fall out of their normal routines. If you are travelling between family homes, packing bags, hosting others, or juggling events, your brushing routine can become patchy without you even noticing.

It helps to keep a small travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste in your bag or car. That way, even if you stay overnight somewhere unexpectedly, you will not miss a brushing session. These small habits make a noticeable difference over a week or two of disrupted routines.

Choosing the right festive treats

It is unrealistic to avoid all the fun foods of Christmas, but you can make small choices that are kinder to your teeth. For example:

• Chocolate melts quickly and washes away more easily than sticky sweets.
• Cheese, nuts (already shelled), and savoury nibbles are less harmful than sugary snacks.
• Dark chocolate often contains less sugar than milk chocolate.
• Drinking water between drinks helps rinse away acids and sugars.

These small changes can mean that you still enjoy the season without placing unnecessary pressure on your tooth enamel.

Starting the New Year in good shape

If you finish the holiday feeling like your teeth have been through a lot, you are not alone. Quite a few patients come in during January for a check-up or hygiene session to reset things. A professional clean can remove any build-up from weeks of extra treats and get you back on track for the start of the new year.

A quick appointment in the new year can also help to identify any early issues before they turn into something more complicated. A tiny fracture or sensitive tooth after Christmas might need only a straightforward solution if treated early.

Enjoying the season sensibly

Christmas should be enjoyed, and we don’t want patients to feel guilty for having treats. The aim is simply to help you avoid the common pitfalls that cause problems once the celebrations are over. A little awareness, regular brushing, and a few sensible choices can make all the difference.

If you would like any advice about your own dental situation, or you feel you would like something checked after the holidays, why not give our handy clinic a call. You can do this by calling The Dental Centre Bedford on 01234 819868.