We all love the festive season – cosy evenings by the fire, exchanging gifts and indulging in the very best foods! But as your local Sunbury-on-Thames dentist, we know that this is one of the most common times of year for sudden toothache and emergency dental appointments…
We want to keep you smiling this Christmas, so here are our top tips to avoid a dental drama during the holidays!
- Go easy on hard sweets, nuts and toffee.
We know, we know … this one’s tough. It might be a Christmas tradition to tuck into mixed nuts, sticky toffees and boiled sweets. But these are the worst offenders for chipped teeth! Take it slow and avoid biting down hard. - Teeth are not gift-opening tools!
Please don’t use your teeth to open anything (ever!). We understand excitement can take over, but ripping packets or tearing tape with your teeth is a recipe for cracked enamel and broken fillings. Take the time to find scissors. Your smile will thank you. - Enjoy sugary treats WITH meals to stave off cavities.
Sugary foods invite bacteria to take up residence in your mouth! And if you’re snacking on them throughout the day, this gives those sugar bugs more opportunity to bed in. But limiting desserts, chocolates or sweets to mealtimes only helps reduce the risk of cavities! - Rinse or drink water between fizzy or mulled drinks.
You wouldn’t think it, but drinks like mulled wine and Prosecco are like an acid wash for your smile. Not good! Sipping water between glasses helps neutralise these acids and wash away residue. A simple habit, but it can make a huge difference to the health of your smile. - Remember to keep up your daily brushing and flossing.
The festive season brings with it late-night parties and busy schedules. So, it’s easy for your oral hygiene routine to fall by the wayside. Make sure you’re flossing once and brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth and gums happy! - Don’t ignore early warning signs.
If you experience any pain, swelling or sensitivity, you need to get your teeth checked by your local Sunbury-on-Thames dentist. Treating dental issues early on prevents them from becoming a full-blown emergency.
We’re here to keep you smiling throughout the festive season. Book a check-up at Dental House today!
A Festive Reminder To Our Patients
Our hours will look slightly different over the Christmas holidays!
Here’s when we’ll be open:
- Monday 23rd December: 10:00 – 19:30
- Tuesday 24th December: 08:00 – 12:00
- Monday 29th December: 09:00 – 15:00 (emergency appointments only!)
We’ll resume normal hours from the 2nd January.
Please note that although the practice might be closed, we will still respond to urgent e-mails and WhatsApp messages with advice or out-of-hours care. If you require urgent dental care over the holidays, please email info@dental-house.co.uk. Our team will do their very best to accommodate emergency appointments during our open hours.
