Christmas time is a time when we take a break, relax and indulge ourselves. Whilst that is great to do, here are my top tips on making sure our mouths and teeth stay healthy.
1. Sweet treats
Everyone, adults and kids over indulge at Christmas. From a dental point of view it isn’t the amount of consumption that’s the problem, it’s the frequency of consumption. I recommend having one big serve of that Christmas pudding rather having multiple bowls and try to avoid grazing on all the various treats. It’s also good to eat the treats as quickly as possible so they aren’t in the house to tempt you once the holiday break is over.
2. Alcohol
Acids from alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks soften the surface of your teeth. Drinking alcohol also causes you to dehydrate, which means you have less saliva, so it takes longer to neutralize these acids, and remineralise (harden) your teeth.
After drinking alcohol, instead of brushing your teeth with a toothbrush which can abrade the surface of the tooth, have a good rinse and rub a small amount of toothpaste on to your teeth and leave it there. This helps reduce the acidity and provide your mouth with the right minerals as your teeth re-harden, without stripping away the surface layer.
It may sound wrong but in this case it is definitely better for your teeth!
3. Kids Toys
Every year emergency wards around Australia are filled with kids (and parents) who are excited to show off their skills on their new trampoline, bike or scooter, etc. Unfortunately disaster often follows. Collarbones, wrists, knees and ankles seem to be the most common injuries, but sometimes we break our fall with our face.
If you break a tooth, try to find the piece and bring it in, because it may be possible to reattach the fragments. If you knock out a tooth, you need to get it replanted as quickly as possible. Try not to touch the root and place the tooth in sterile saline if you have it, or milk if you don’t and find a dentist ASAP.
4. Don’t forget to Pack your Toothbrush
In the rush of packing to go away for the Christmas holidays, toothbrushes and other oral hygiene aids can easily be forgotten so make sure you have a handy travel pack in your suitcase at all times.
On behalf of everyone at DentalTown I would like to wish you all a safe and merry Christmas and a Happy new Year.