Your teeth are in jeopardy this festive season

by Taryn Davies | 23 December 2012

Health on Female First

Indulgent treats like mince pies, sherry trifle and chocolate by the bucket load are an integral part of the festive season for many people.

But in fact, the sugar laden delights may lead to more long-lasting problems than tight jeans and an expanded waist line in January.

Making sure oral health is not neglected through the party season is vital to protect a dazzling smile all year round. And many festive foods may contain more sugar than people think. A mince pie alone can contain a whole quarter of your recommended daily sugar intake - and with an estimated 300 million sold every year - teeth can potentially take a bacteria battering at Christmas.

Barry Cockcroft, chief dental officer for England said:

“Everybody is free to enjoy traditional Christmas foods but I urge people to be aware of protecting their teeth from sugary foods.

“If you are snacking all day on chocolate and mince pies and then enjoying sugary drinks like cream liquors, sherry and soft drinks in the evening – your teeth are exposed to a significantly higher level of sugar than usual.

“This can lead to tooth decay which could affect them for life so I urge people to remember their oral health routine at this time of year.”

A number of simple oral health tips however could safeguard your teeth and make sure you are starting the New Year with a healthy smile.

Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice daily and trying to make sure you spit rather than rinsing out after brushing can make a big difference. When you rinse out, you are washing away valuable fluoride from the toothpaste which can help to protect teeth from decay.

Shoppers also get an extra helping hand when it comes to deciding which treats to buy. Recent changes to food labelling means it is easy to discover the sugar content of many foods just by looking at the label.