7 Tips to Keep Your Teeth Healthy This Festive Season
Many of us forget that the festive season can be a very stressful period for our teeth. Chocolates, mince pies, sweet, champagne and other alcohol are a big part of our diet during the holidays and can seriously damage our teeth. With the constant snacking and big meals the teeth do not have the time to recover naturally. That is why Berkeley Clinic, a registered cosmetic dentist in Glasgow, gathered a few simple tips that can help you keep your teeth healthy this festive season.
1. Beware of your sugar consumption
Chocolates, pies and cakes are an essential ingredient of a good Christmas celebration, but in order to protect your teeth you might need to limit your consumption. As these treats contain a lot of sugar they are very damaging to the teeth and could lead to oral health problems. The same stand for dried fruit, which are extremely high in sugar. Try substituting some of the sweet treats with fresh fruits or nuts, which taste just as well, but are much healthier. Another tasty snack are raw vegetables. Carrots, broccoli and celery are ideal for cleaning your teeth between the meals.
2. Eat cheese and dairy products
As we were often told as kids cheese and dairy products are good for your teeth and bones. They help restore the mouth’s natural acid balance and prevent tooth decay. So after each meal or as part of it have some cheese or dairy products. Your teeth will thank you!
3. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water
Drinking plenty of water during the Christmas holidays is extremely important. Water can help your body recover from the alcohol consumption and helps you stay in good shape despite the large meals. It is also extremely useful in cleaning your teeth from food residue and sugar. You can offer different water alternatives to your guests and family by adding slices of lemon, slices of cucumber or peppermint leaves. These will keep you hydrated and refreshed.
4. Maintain good oral hygiene
The worst thing you can do during the Christmas celebrations is to neglect your oral hygiene. Remember to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and to floss daily to remove food residue. This rule holds both for adults and children, so if you are a parent reinforce it on the kids. Forgetting to brush in this highly stressful period for your teeth can cause serious damage so it is important to stick to your daily routine.
5. Keep yourself active
We all like relaxing during the holidays, sitting down with the family and having a nice meal. However, too much relaxation easily leads to overindulgence in food and sweets. Try keeping everyone busy and active. Play some family games or take a walk in the park. There are many ways to relax so take advantage of the free time you have during the holidays!
6. Practice moderation
This advice holds both for your food and alcohol consumption. Now, Christmas is the time of overindulging so you are most definitely going to cross some lines, but this does not mean that you cannot try and practice moderation. Set a good example for your family and show them some self-discipline. You can also encourage them to eat healthier. Sweets and chocolates get eaten so fast because they are conveniently positioned in front of us. Try putting some fresh apples and oranges or cheese and vegetables on the table and you might be surprised how fast these snacks disappear!
7. Visit your orthodontist in Glasgow
Do not forget to visit your orthodontist in Glasgow after the holidays. Berkeley Clinic is a registered cosmetic dentist in Glasgow offering a wide variety of dental treatments including dental implants Glasgow, teeth whitening and root canal treatment. If you are worried about your oral health after the festive season you can visit us for a dental check-up. We have a modern dental surgery in Glasgow and we can help you with any dental issues you may have. Contact us today to make an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Glasgow.
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