14 Oct Flash a Fab Smile!

Get ready for festive-season photos – and protect your teeth – with tips from GPA Dental. Sure, special holiday dishes are delectable, but these treats can damage your pearly whites. How? Plaque bacteria produces acid as it digests the sugars in rich foods, desserts and alcoholic beverages. The more often you eat or imbibe, the less time your mouth has to neutralise the acid with saliva. This can increase the risk of tooth decay, cavities and stains on teeth, and may even harm previous dental work. Don’t worry, though – you don’t have to say, “Bah humbug!” to all of the festive fun. Practice these simple strategies to keep your smile sparkling for all of those selfies and wefies.

Indulge a Little Less

Try to cut down on acidic and sugary foods and drinks including sticky and hard sweets and alcohol mixers. Replace these with still or sparkling water, fresh fruits and vegetables and cheese – a tooth-friendly snack that neutralises acid in your mouth.

Rinse after Each Meal

A quick rinse with water after you’ve eaten can clean out some of the acidic substances and debris that are stuck in between or on your teeth. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to wash away plaque and bacteria, too.

Clean on the Go

Rinse your mouth with water after meals or drinking to remove bits of food and get rid of acids and sugars. Or, if you’re attending more than one get-together in a day, carry floss with you so that you can quickly clean in between your teeth after meals. Sugar-free mints promote the production of saliva, which helps prevent decay.

Maintain Good Oral Habits

A busy schedule can cause you to skip your usual oral hygiene routine. Remind yourself, it’s worth the effort – and fit in the following: Continue brushing gently and thoroughly with a fluoridated toothpaste for two minutes a day, morning and night. Floss each night, too. Schedule a cleaning and polishing session at the dentist prior to the holidays to get rid of plaque and tartar, or consider whitening treatments and ceramic restorations for a brighter smile.

Remember the Kids

The same goes for your children! Schedule a dental check-up and cleaning session for them so any tooth troubles your child might be facing can be treated early. What else? Limit your child’s consumption of sugars and acids to mealtimes instead of allowing it throughout the day. And have them wait about 30 minutes to an hour before brushing your child’s teeth after meals, as brushing immediately can erode the enamel.