There are just 8 sleeps till Christmas; the big day is getting closer and closer. Here are 8 tips to look after your teeth over the festive period:
 

1. Brush your teeth twice a day using an electric tooth brush with a 2 minute timer
2. Floss or use inter dental brushes in between your teeth- this is vital
3. Use a flouride mouthwash afterwards-do not rinse with water
4. Limit sugary foods and drinks (sorry!) to mealtimes and reduce the frequency of acid attack on your teeth
5. Limit acidic foods and drinks as much as possible; did you know that hot lemon water has the same acidity as battery acid!
6. Drink alcohol in moderation (sorry again!)
7. For sensitivity, rub some sensitive toothpaste directly on to the tooth and leave overnight. Repeat for at least 7 days.
8. Visit your dentist and hygienist when due- early intervention means less extensive treatment in the long term

If you need to be seen prior to Christmas, please contact us on Monday morning. We will squeeze you in!

Are you a Juicing Fanatic? Now the festive season has started, some of my patients have told me they are trying a juicing diet to detox after Christmas party excesses, or before the inevitable over-eating starts. People are often surprised to hear the damaging effect juices can have on our teeth. A lot of juices, especially those made with fruit, are full of sugar and highly acidic. This causes a drop in pH in the mouth, which in turn can cause acid erosion which damages tooth enamel and/or decay if sustained.

Despite the possible damage, we do recognise the benefits of a good daily intake of fruits and vegetables, in particular the importance of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for good gum health. Almost all vegetables are low acid, but some fruits are higher than others High Erosion Risk Fruits: Citrus Berries Peaches Pears Grapes Pineapple Moderate Erosion Risk Fruits: Figs Bananas Asian pears Dates Papaya Melons Mangoes Here are some tips to help reduce the damage that can be caused by juicing diets or high fruit intake:

1. Try to limit fruits to meal times, constant grazing causes more damage than a large amount all at once.

2. Wait at least 20 minutes after eating/drinking before brushing so you are not brushing the acid in to the teeth.

3. Drink juice through a straw and don't hold it for long in your mouth. 

4. Dilute juice with water and drink water after each juice/fruit.

5. Use a good, de sensitising toothpaste, such as Sensodyne Repair and Protect. 

6. Increase use of fluoride mouthwash such as Colgate Flourigard. GC Tooth Mousse is excellent for repairing damage when applied topically at night and left on the teeth, and also comes in some delicious fruity flavours!