As we head more towards Christmas, we had lots of fun “decking those halls” over the past week! Clare, Jignasha, Lauren and Deepesh have tried to make the practice as warm and cosy as possible. So, this December we look forward to welcoming you out of the cold and into our now merry and bright waiting room! We’re here for you all the way up until Christmas Eve, so if you’re needing care – whether it be for a problem, something routine or something cosmetic, then please do get in touch with us. We have ample parking for patients and are on Turner Court bus stop for routes 281 and 400 for those arriving by public transport. If arriving on foot, we are opposite the Queen Victoria Hospital.
In the meantime, here are some healthy and useful tips to enjoy the festive season:
1.Turkey and Cheese, please!
If there’s a choice between chocolates and a cheeseboard, go for the latter because cheese helps neutralise plaque acids after a meal and help prevent tooth decay. The Christmas turkey is full of lean protein and natural phosphorus, so it sounds good for the Christmas food list.
2. Alcohol?
Everyone likes a bit of festive tipple. Whether it be red, white or sparkling, wine is acidic and can damage enamel, and red wine comes with the added bonus of staining teeth. Just try to make sure you have it in moderation and with a meal, rather than in-between, to reduce those negative effects. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can dry your mouth out. If you’re in your home, rinsing with a non-alcohol, fluoride mouthwash after consuming them can help neutralise the acids by bumping up your own protective saliva levels.
3. Straws!
Anything sweet or acidic can have their effects reduced by the use of straws. The sugary or acidic drinks are less able to bathe your mouth in their damaging effects, and so can be a great way of reducing the risk of tooth decay and enamel erosion this festive season (and the rest of the year!).
4. … And Finally
Mind the “Toffee Penny!” We’ve all seen the tin or tub go round each Christmas, but it’s these particular sweets which cost patients a fortune each year. Their hard, sticky and chewy nature results in so many broken teeth and pulled out crowns, filling and dentures, resulting in dental visits to fix the problem, as well as sticking and sitting in the valleys of the teeth, slowly releasing the sugars for tooth decay to start and the need for even more fillings – an absolute no-no from the dentist!
So, have fun and follow some of the handy tips above, during this most wonderful time of the year, and have a joyful time whilst keeping healthy!
The Team at East Grinstead Dental
