Oral hygiene is probably the last thing you are thinking about as we enter the festive season. So let us tell you how to protect your gums and teeth.

You are most likely busy thinking about all the Christmas and New Year parties filled with delicious desserts and alcohol you have coming up.

But don’t be fooled, the bacteria in your mouth has a sweet tooth too and it will make sure you are seen back in the dental chair sooner than expected.

It is important to have a healthy dental care routine so that you can have a healthy mouth.

We have prepared a list of ten ways you can protect your teeth and gums over Christmas.

Top ten ways to protect your teeth these holidays:

1.   Avoid sweet and sugary products:

The bacteria found in plaque inside our mouth loves sugar, it changes sugars into acids that slowly overtime eat through your enamel protective layer. We recommend staying clear of soft drinks, candies and other high sugar content products.

2.   Don’t graze:

Do not graze on snacks and other unhealthy foods, as this only prolongs the acid attacks caused by sugar. Your teeth need time between attacks to recover.

3.   Healthier options:

Before diving into the plates of unhealthy options, or bowls of sweets, why not try the healthy options first? Make sure you fill your plate with as much protein, fiber or vitamin rich foods such as vegetables and lean meats as possible, so that there is less room on your plate for unhealthy options!

Another good tactic is to eat slow, so that your body has time to process that your stomach is full. This reduces the craving for seconds!

4.   Sparkling wines:

These wines are one of the worst beverages for causing oral damage, they even have a condition called ‘prosecco smile’ named after them. This is the condition where your teeth begin pulling away from your gums, because of the acidity and carbonation found in the popular wines.

5.   Limit acidic drinks:

You should try to limit acidic drinks, such as fruit juices, cordials and soft drinks as they dissolve enamel and cause tooth erosion. After drinking acidic products, it is recommended to flush your mouth with water.

Sticking with water as your drink is the safest option and had positive impacts for not only your teeth and gums, but for your entire body!

6.   Brush your teeth twice a day:

At a minimum you should be brushing your teeth twice a day (morning and night). You should aim to brush your teeth after meals to avoid food decay and plaque build ups to minimise tooth decay and gum infections.

We recommend brushing for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and using a soft bristle toothbrush as they are less damaging to your gums. Brushing your teeth, gums and tongue is the best thing you can do to ensure good oral hygiene.

7.   Floss your teeth:

We recommend flossing your teeth every evening, to remove food debris and plaque from areas the toothbrush cannot reach.

8.   Rinsing and mouthwash:

After drinking or eating food, you should rinse your mouth out with water to remove excess food debris, acids and sugars.

We recommend using a fluoride containing mouthwash once a day to kill oral bacteria and decrease chances of bad breath.

9.   Don’t forget and skip a day:

Make sure you don’t form a habit of skipping your oral care routine regularly, as this will create opportunities for issues to form. It’s okay if you forget to clean your teeth once, will forgive you, but not if it’s a consistent problem!

10.   Visit your dentist regularly:

It is important to receive dental check-ups every 6 months to ensure you have great oral hygiene! Although if you think you may have an oral issue, you should schedule an appointment with the dentist.

If you can follow all or most of these tips (most importantly brushing and flossing) from Crown Dental Group, then you should be able to maintain good oral health over the holidays, while still enjoying the things you love. Our friendly staff at Crown Dental Group are passionate about keeping your teeth and gums clean and healthy, so that you can have a smile that shines.

We offer a range of treatments, from general checkups and cleans, to more involved treatments. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact us here.