This time of the year is full of well-deserved indulgence. In October we celebrated Halloween with gummy sweets and fizzy drinks, and we’ve recently celebrated Bonfire Night with toffee apples and hot chocolate.
With Christmas around the corner, and our sweet teeth fully primed for celebration, the team at Lister House Dental are looking to share some insight into the effect of sugar on your oral health. Check out our tips below to minimise damage to your teeth this festive season and keep your smile cavity-free:
Limit the frequency that you’re consuming sugar
If you’re eating sugary foods frequently and regularly you are much more likely to develop cavities. This tip is simple; enjoy your favourite sweets but make sure you’re minimising the frequency that your consuming them!
Use an environmentally-friendly straw
If you’re prone to drinking very sugary, fizzy drinks, then we ask that you do so with a straw. The benefit of this is that you’re limiting the amount of contact between your teeth and the sugar, therefore lessening the chance of developing cavities and decay.
Keep your coffee and tea sugar-free
If you like your hot drinks on the sweeter side, you’re probably unaware as to how much sugar you’re actually consuming in your daily coffee and tea. What’s worse is that we sip on these hot beverages over an extended period of time causing prolonged sugar exposure. Cutting down on the amount of sugar you’re putting in your hot drinks will help reduce the risk of cavities!
Always practice good oral hygiene
Though we do suggest avoiding an overload of sugar consumption, the team at Lister House Dental believe that if you are going to give in to your sweet tooth, it is always best to also practice good oral hygiene to stave off tooth decay. We recommend brushing twice daily, for two minutes at a time, and flossing every day to keep on top of your oral health and fight off gum disease.