29 Nov Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year

The festive period can be a tough time for our teeth and gums, but the expert team at Putney Dental Surgery  has some handy tips to  keep you smiling through the holidays

1: Beware of the buffet 

Grazing throughout the day is a bad habit we often adopt during the Christmas season, but constantly nibbling is much worse for teeth than sticking to set mealtimes. If you find yourself snacking, try to choose tooth-friendly options, such as raw veggies or cheese. 

2: Don’t brush after bubbly 

Sparkling wine is both sugary and acidic, which is doubly harmful to tooth enamel – if you’re enjoying a glass (or two) make sure you wait at least an hour before brushing your teeth to minimise the damage. The same rule applies to all acidic foods and drinks. 

3: Choose toys instead of treats 

Rather than giving your kids an advent calendar filled with sugary treats, swap it for a countdown full of fun family games, jokes, or puzzle activities. 

4. Carol as you clean 

Most people don’t brush for the optimal two minutes each time, but if you hum a few verses of your favourite holiday songs while you clean your teeth, you’ll likely hit the target. 

5: Don’t use teeth to cut sticky tape  

Using teeth as tools is a common cause of dental emergencies over the festive period. Ripping open presents, tearing off labels, or cutting tape with teeth may save a few seconds, but it may also lead to chipping or breaking a tooth. 

6: Indulge in more turkey 

Turkey is actually one of the healthier festive foods for our teeth – the protein contains phosphorous, which strengthens teeth and bones. So enjoy!

7: Keep drinking water 

Regularly drink water throughout the day to rinse food particles and bacteria from your mouth and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Choosing water rather than soda or fruit juice over the festive period will help to lower your overall sugar intake. 

8: Choose dark chocolate over sticky toffee 

Banning sweet treats may be unrealistic over the holidays, but you can minimise the risk to your teeth by avoiding hard candies that may crack teeth or sticky candies and toffees that stay in your mouth for extended periods of time. 

9: Watch your wine glass 

Excited pets and children, crowded social environments, and full wine glasses create a perfect storm that can result in some unexpected festive dental disasters. Keep an eye on your surroundings if you are raising a glass to your lips in a crowded area. 

10: Don’t forget your regular routine 

The holidays can throw everyone off balance but neglecting your oral hygiene routine can have serious long-term consequences – it only takes two minutes to brush thoroughly twice a day and another minute or so to floss! 

11: Pack your toothbrush 

Going away this Christmas? Don’t forget to pack the essentials – toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and any current treatments (e.g. Invisalign trays). 

12: Make a check-up appointment 

Start 2021 on a positive note by making a routine dental appointment at Putney Dental Surgery to keep your teeth and gums in healthy condition. 

Putney Dental Surgery is open over the Holiday Season except for Public holidays

Should you have a dental emergency during our closed practice hours this holiday season, we recommend visiting the NSW ADA https://www.adansw.com.au/ to locate a dentist that can help in a timely fashion.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year