In the build-up to Christmas, people start to begin their festivities. This can involve a lot of drinking eggnog and wine, or eating chocolates and mince pies. This can be increasingly problematic for your teeth especially after Halloween, when your children might have eaten a lot of Trick-or-Treat sweets. It can be difficult during this period to keep your teeth healthy while still participating in the festivities. Here are some of the ways in which you can maintain good oral health, while still enjoying the festive period. 

1. Keep Up The Cleaning Routine

It is always too easy to lose routines around Christmas, especially when we don’t go to school or work for a couple of weeks. However, giving up your teeth cleaning routines can be very detrimental to your oral health, especially when lots of sweets are being consumed. Sugar sitting on your teeth for too long is a massive cause of cavities. By brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day you can limit the amount of damage all that sugar is doing to your teeth. 

2. Don’t Neglect Dental Appointments

A big mistake people make is to neglect their dental appointments over the festive period. They often put it off until after Christmas, and then find that January is a very busy month and can’t get into the dentist for ages after. Make sure you actually go to your dentist appointments in the build up to December 25th, especially if it’s for a serious procedure like crowns, bridges or full dental implants. Neglecting procedures like these could be terrible for your teeth, so make sure you get into the dentist’s.

3. Enjoy The Cheeseboard

Nothing beats a cheeseboard. Cheese is pretty good for your teeth as it neutralises plaque acid, which helps to prevent tooth decay. Furthermore, eating cheese can increase the amount of saliva your mouth produces, which is great for maintaining your mouth’s PH Level. Dry mouth can lead to gingivitis and gum disease, so saliva is great for your mouth. So make good use of the cheeseboard! It might help your teeth after all that sugar. 

4. Drink Lots of Water

As aforementioned, a dry mouth can be really bad for your teeth. Drinking water can help your mouth restore a good PH balance. Furthermore, drinking water helps to flush off the sugar from your teeth, which can reduce the likelihood of tooth decay. Make sure to get your 2 liters of day not only for your oral health, but your physical health. 

5. Limit Things That Are Too Bad For Your Teeth

Red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea can be really detrimental to your teeth. Unfortunately, these are some of the most commonly consumed foods and drinks over the festive period. The amount of internal and external staining that these cause can damage not only the look of your teeth but the general health of them too. By refraining from over-indulging in these, and brushing your teeth after you consume them, you can save your teeth. 

It can be a difficult balance between taking care of your teeth and enjoying yourself during Christmas and New Year. However, if you follow these steps, you will enter January with a smile you are proud of.