When December arrives, so it seems do a host of invitations. With endless parties and celebrations, the festive season seems to be full of social events. With this being the case, it is easy to neglect your usual oral hygiene routine. Here, we outline a few things to watch out for during the celebrations.
GENERAL HEALTH
It isn’t just your teeth that may suffer during the celebrations. With so much on, it is easy to become run down. Try to prioritise getting enough sleep – you’ll feel much better for it. Take care to keep warm when out and about in the cold. Also, keep an eye on your diet – keep aiming for a balanced diet: no-one feels their best if fuelled entirely by canapes!
PARTY FARE AND YOUR TEETH
Sugar is the key ingredient to watch out for and it’s one which pops up a lot at Christmas – processed foods and confectionary tend to be loaded with it. Because of its high energy content, bacteria in the mouth will feed off it and release high levels of acid which then soften your tooth enamel, laying the grounds for tooth decay.
The next substance to keep an eye on is alcohol. The high levels of acid within it may soften your tooth enamel. As well as this, alcohol inhibits the production of saliva, so weakening your body’s natural ability to fight the bacteria in the mouth and prevent tooth decay.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Abstinence could help – but it’s Christmas. So what can you do to minimise the effects of any indulgence? The key is to keep up your oral hygiene regime. Don’t neglect brushing your teeth twice-daily and make sure to be thorough when you do. Combine this with use of dental floss or interdental brushes and use a mouthwash once a day. Finally, if you do have any concerns about the health of your teeth and gums, don’t delay in making an appointment to see the dentist. However busy this time of year is, you don’t want to go into the new year with dental problems. The quicker any issues are looked into, the quicker they can be resolved. Give us a call today on 01603 621613.
