Because Christmas is a time when we all eat and drink a little more than usual, it is especially important to look after our teeth and gums during the festive period.
To help, here we look at just a few of the easy ways you can make sure that your oral health is in tip top shape throughout Christmas.
Maintaining your dental hygiene regime
We tend to enjoy a few more treats than usual during Christmas, especially sugary foods and drinks, so it is vitally important to maintain your usual high standards of dental hygiene. Make sure to brush your teeth and gums at least two times a day and always remember to floss thoroughly and clean in and around your braces, to remove any food debris.
Never brush straight after a festive meal
Even though you might feel the urge to brush your teeth straight after a Christmas meal, this isn’t really advised. Our teeth are weakened by acidic food and drink, so it is recommended that we wait for at least an hour after a meal before brushing, so not to aid the erosion of tooth enamel. Remember that cheese, a festive favourite, helps to reduce the acidity in your mouth and therefore protect teeth enamel, so it’s a great way to finish a Christmas meal.
Drink lots of water with Christmas foods
Food debris that lodges in between our teeth and gums, or around braces, can be harmful, leading to issues such as tooth decay and even gum disease. Drinking water during a meal helps to clear this debris, so whether you’re enjoying a mince pie or turkey dinner, remember to have a glass of water at the same time!
Keep any seasonal appointments with your orthodontist
It is important that appointments with your orthodontist are kept during the busy Christmas period, just to make sure that any issues are picked up as early as possible, avoiding any nasty shocks in the New Year!
Find out more
Dulwich Orthodontic Centre is a specialist orthodontic practice providing a range of modern braces and appliances to adults and children across South East London and the surrounding areas.
If you would like to find out more about the services we offer and our availability over the Christmas period, please contact the team here at Dulwich Orthodontics today on 020 8265 9797.