5 Christmas Dental Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright This Festive Season

It’s that time of year again—Christmas is here! While we’re all looking forward to festive food, cosy gatherings, and treats galore, it’s also a time when our teeth can take a bit of a beating. Between the toffees, mulled wine, and endless chocolates, your smile might not feel so merry come January. To help you enjoy the season and keep your teeth happy, here are 5 simple dental tips to keep in mind this Christmas.
1. Avoid Toffees If You Have Metal Fillings
We all love a festive sweet, but toffees and sticky sweets can be a real danger if you have metal fillings, crowns, or bridges. Toffees are super sticky and can easily pull out a filling or loosen a crown, leaving you with an unexpected Christmas Day dental emergency—something nobody wants!
Tip: If you’ve got a craving for something sweet, opt for a softer treat, like a mince pie or a small piece of Christmas cake, and be sure to rinse with water afterward.
2. Don’t Use Your Teeth to Cut Sellotape
Let’s face it, we’ve all been there—wrapping gifts and can’t find the scissors, so we resort to using our teeth to rip the sellotape. But trust me, your teeth are not a pair of scissors. Using your teeth to bite tape, crack nuts, or open bottles can cause chips, cracks, or even weaken your enamel.
Tip: Keep a pair of scissors close by when wrapping presents, and save your teeth for the turkey, not the tape. If you’re prone to cracking walnuts, use a nutcracker—not your molars!
3. Watch Out for Red Wine and Mulled Wine Stains
There’s nothing like a glass of red wine or mulled wine to add a festive touch to Christmas dinner. But here’s the catch—red wine and mulled wine can stain your teeth fast. Both are acidic and sticky, and the deep pigments can cling to your enamel, leaving you with a not-so-white smile.
Tip: Drink water alongside your wine to rinse away the acidity and reduce staining. A quick brush or rinse after dinner also helps keep those teeth sparkling into the New Year.
4. Enjoy After Eight Chocolates with a Meal, Not as a Snack
After Eights are a Christmas classic, but snacking on them throughout the day isn’t great for your teeth. Constant snacking on sugary treats creates the perfect environment for bacteria, leading to acid attacks on your enamel. Eating them with a meal is far better because your saliva production increases during mealtimes, helping to wash away sugar and protect your teeth.
Tip: Save your After Eights (or any chocolate!) as part of your Christmas dinner or pudding. Your teeth—and your waistline—will thank you.
5. Drink Plenty of Water (And Give Fizzy Drinks a Break)
With all the festive drinks on offer—fizzy pop, mulled wine, and sugary cocktails—it’s easy to forget about good old water. Fizzy drinks, even sugar-free ones, are acidic and can wear away your enamel over time. Staying hydrated with water not only keeps you feeling refreshed but also rinses away food, sugar, and acid that can damage your teeth.
Tip: Carry a glass of water with you throughout the day (or sip water between drinks) to stay hydrated and help neutralise acids from festive food and drinks.
Conclusion: Treat Your Teeth Kindly This Christmas
Christmas is a time to indulge and enjoy yourself, but that doesn’t mean your teeth need to suffer! Avoid toffees, keep the scissors handy for sellotape, drink water alongside red wine, and save sugary treats for mealtimes. And if you do overdo it, don’t panic—just get back to your regular brushing and flossing routine after the festivities.
So, enjoy all the mince pies and chocolates, but treat your smile to a little extra care this season—it deserves it! 🎄
If you need any dental advice this Christmas or have a dental emergency, don’t forget that the Toothfairy app is here to help. You can connect with licensed UK dentists quickly and get the support you need, right from your phone.
Last updated on December 17, 2024
Dr. Deepak
ToothFairy Care Team.
Dr. Deepak
ToothFairy Care Team.