Christmas is the season of indulgence. From chocolates and mince pies to roast dinners and festive fizz, there's no shortage of delicious food and drink to enjoy throughout December. But what does all that festive feasting mean for our teeth?
The good news is that you don't need to say goodbye to your favourite Christmas treats to keep your smile healthy. With a little moderation and a few simple habits, you can enjoy everything the festive season has to offer while taking care of your oral health.
Dr Nyree Whitley, Chief Clinical Officer at mydentist, shares her advice on which festive favourites to enjoy in moderation, some tooth-friendly alternatives and how to keep your smile merry and bright throughout the celebrations.
Take care with sticky Christmas sweets
Whether you're reaching for a candy cane, enjoying a handful of toffees or working your way through the Christmas sweet tin, sugary treats are a festive favourite. However, some can be particularly troublesome for your teeth.
Nyree commented: "As with any time of the year, eating vast amounts of treats high in sugar can cause issues, but at Christmas this risk can be heightened by products such as toffees, candy canes or butterscotch. Toffee is a particularly bad offender for causing damage to your teeth due to its sugary, sticky and hardened texture, which may cause cracks or chips to your teeth. It can also cause damage to dental work you’ve already had done such as crowns, fillings or veneers."
This doesn't mean you have to avoid your favourite sweets completely. Instead, try enjoying them occasionally, avoiding biting down on particularly hard treats and keeping sugary snacks to mealtimes where possible.
Make room for chocolate and cheeseboards
Good news for chocolate lovers! If you're choosing between a sticky toffee and a piece of chocolate, the latter could be a more tooth-friendly option. Dark chocolate typically contains less sugar than milk chocolate, depending on the variety, and its softer texture makes it less likely to damage your teeth than hard or sticky sweets. Of course, it still contains sugar, so moderation remains important.
And if you're more interested in the savoury side of Christmas, there's another reason to look forward to the festive cheeseboard. Cheese contains calcium and phosphate, which help maintain healthy teeth, while also helping to neutralise acids in the mouth. This makes it a great option to enjoy after a meal.
So, whether you're reaching for a square of chocolate or saving room for some cheese and crackers, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your festive cravings while being mindful of your oral health.
Don't let festive fizz take the sparkle out of your smile
From Christmas parties to New Year's Eve celebrations, a glass of prosecco is a popular way to toast the festive season. However, its acidity means it's worth being mindful of how often you're topping up your glass.
Acidic drinks, including prosecco, can gradually wear away the protective enamel on your teeth, particularly when consumed frequently or over long periods. Over time, this can contribute to tooth sensitivity and changes in the appearance of your teeth.
But there's no need to miss out on the celebrations. If you're enjoying a festive drink, try alternating with water, avoiding sipping acidic drinks over several hours and using a straw where practical to reduce contact with your teeth. Remember, even alcohol-free sparkling drinks can be acidic, so these tips are worth keeping in mind whatever you're drinking.
Enjoy your Christmas dinner without the worry
For many of us, Christmas dinner is the main event. Whether it's perfectly crispy roast potatoes, pigs in blankets or an extra helping of stuffing, it's a meal worth looking forward to. And the good news? There's no reason to feel guilty about enjoying your Christmas dinner.
In fact, plenty of traditional festive foods contain nutrients that support healthy teeth and gums. Turkey provides protein, while vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, carrots and broccoli offer vitamins and minerals that contribute to a balanced diet. Just take a little care with particularly crunchy roast potatoes, especially if you have sensitive teeth, weakened teeth or existing dental work. Very hard or crunchy foods can occasionally cause damage when bitten into.
And don't forget the cranberry sauce! Like many festive accompaniments, it can contain added sugar, so it's best enjoyed as part of your meal rather than repeatedly snacking on sweet leftovers throughout the day.
Balance is the secret ingredient
With so many tempting treats on offer, it's easy to find yourself grazing throughout the day, especially when there's an open box of chocolates nearby.
However, when it comes to protecting your teeth, how often you eat sugar can be just as important as how much you consume. Nyree explained that sugar interacts with the bacteria in plaque to produce acids, which can gradually wear away tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Every time you eat something sugary, your teeth are exposed to another period of acid production.
Rather than cutting out Christmas treats entirely, try enjoying them alongside your usual meals instead of constantly snacking throughout the day.
It's also worth making room for a variety of foods throughout the festive period. Leafy greens, vegetables, protein-rich foods and dairy products can all contribute to a healthy, balanced diet that supports your teeth and gums. After all, Christmas is about enjoying yourself, and there's room for both the Brussels sprouts and the Christmas pudding!
Don't rush to brush after festive drinks
After an evening of festive food and drink, you might be tempted to give your teeth an extra brush before heading to bed. However, brushing immediately after acidic drinks, such as prosecco, wine or fizzy mixers, may do more harm than good. Acid can temporarily soften the surface of your tooth enamel, making it more vulnerable to wear from brushing.
Instead, rinse your mouth with water after enjoying acidic drinks and allow at least an hour before brushing your teeth. This gives your saliva time to help neutralise the acids in your mouth.
Of course, keeping up with your regular brushing routine is still essential. Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, including last thing at night, and remember to clean between your teeth daily. Even during the busiest Christmas celebrations, these simple habits can make a real difference to your oral health.
A healthy smile is for life, not just for Christmas
From chocolate oranges to Christmas pudding, festive food is something to be enjoyed. And looking after your teeth shouldn't mean missing out on the things you love. The key is moderation. Being mindful of how often you're enjoying sugary foods, drinking plenty of water and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine can help protect your teeth throughout the festive season and beyond.
So, go ahead and enjoy your favourite Christmas treats, raise a glass to the celebrations and make the most of the season. With a little extra care, you can keep your smile healthy long after the decorations come down.
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