We want to help you get the message about great oral health out to your patients.
So, as part of a regular program of adding new content to Teeth.org.au, the ADA’s new consumer oral health website, you will now find an article providing three food and drinks tips for a tooth-friendly Christmas period. This is a great article to share with patients, whether through social media platforms, via email or within the practice.
As well, if you follow Teeth.org.au on Facebook and Instagram, you’ll see our 12 Days of Christmas tips, which kick off on Monday 13 December, which will make great festive content for your promotional efforts.
With the festive season well and truly upon us, it is time to celebrate and enjoy the company of family and friends. A big focus is taken on food at this time of year for most people. Yet plenty of our chosen festive food and drinks can negatively affect the health of our teeth, so it is important that we keep good eating and drinking habits during this time.
Here are some tooth-friendly tips to get you through the holiday season.
1. Avoid mindless eating
It is well known that sugary treats can be damaging to the health of our teeth, especially when eaten frequently or in excess.
Mindless eating is the opposite of mindful eating. It is when we eat without even thinking twice about it. We eat because food is there, not because we are physically hungry. An easy rule of thumb before reaching for that next sweet treat is to ask yourself ‘am I really hungry?’ If you are not hungry, consider reaching for a more tooth-friendly treat instead, such as some popcorn, or save yourself for a main meal.
The ADA’s Tooth-friendly treats cookbook includes 20 dentist-recommended sweet treat recipes that are great to get you through the holiday season when you want something sweet. Purchase the hardcopy or e-book here.
2. Can the candy cane
Hard lollies are the worst. They are made of 100% sugar and are often responsible for accidents involving broken teeth or fillings. Hard lollies also take longer to dissolve in the mouth, meaning the teeth are exposed to sugar for longer as the lolly is sucked on for a long period of time. This habit can increase the risk of tooth decay developing.
Consider swapping out candy canes for a tooth-friendly treat or a small, non-edible treat instead.
3. Limit sugary drinks and alcohol
Sugary drinks and alcohol can also have negative effects on teeth. Regularly drinking these drinks may increase your risk of developing tooth erosion.
If you are drinking alcohol at parties, look to minimise your sugary drink intake by choosing to use soda water as a mixer rather than a soft drink. Drinking a glass of water between alcoholic drinks is also a good idea, it helps to rinse the acidic drink from the teeth and mouth. Alcohol can also make you dehydrated, so regularly drinking water can help you to stay hydrated.
One final tip – it is best to wait at least 60 minutes between your last drink and brushing your teeth. Brushing too soon can damage the softened tooth enamel caused by acidity in the drinks.
For more great tips for your patients, go to Teeth.org.au
