Wednesday, December 19, 2018

How Not to Wreck Your Teeth This Christmas


With the festive countdown now in full swing, your oral health may be fairly far down on your Christmas to-do list. However, according to Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD, who practices cosmetic dentistry and family dentistry in West Hartford Center and New Britain, CT, there are some very common ways you could unknowingly damage your pearly whites over the festive period. “No one is going to spoil your fun or criticize you for a little overindulgence this Christmas,” says Dr. Basil, but she gives a few handy tips you can follow to limit the impact on your oral health.


Grazing

With so many delicious treats on tap at this time of year, it’s easy to find yourself almost continuously grazing over the festive period. According to Dr. Basil, this drip-feed approach is a major cause of tooth decay, but a simple adjustment to when you eat sugar means you can still indulge a little whilst protecting your teeth. “It’s not the volume of sugar you eat that damages your teeth, it’s how often you eat it,” said Dr. Basil. “Every time we have something sugary, bacteria in our mouths produce acids that can cause tooth decay. If you’re continually snacking, your teeth will be under constant attack. This means it’s far better if you polish off your chocolate coins in one go, or as part of a meal, rather than grazing on them throughout the day.” Brilliant – permission to scoff your festive treats all at once.

Wrapping presents

We’ve all been there; it’s Christmas Eve and you’ve left wrapping presents to the last minute. You’re hastily trying to keep the roll of paper steady with one hand whilst frantically ripping off strips of sticky tape with your teeth. However, this is a potential tooth-hazard waiting to happen said Dr. Basil: “You put enormous pressure on the edges of your teeth when you tear sticky tape, and it’s an easy way to crack or weaken teeth, or even dislodge a crown or veneer,” she says. “Invest in a tape dispenser and save yourself a potential tooth injury.”

Makeshift toothpicks

Nothing is more annoying than being unable to reach something stuck in your teeth, and this could happen at some point over the festive season with all the yuletide feasting. However, using something other than proper dental floss or interdental brushes could be damaging. “Poking at your teeth and gums with sharp improvised tools can cause bleeding and tooth injuries,” advises Dr. Basil. “Try to gently work trapped food loose with dental floss or interdental brushes. It can also be helpful to try and soften the object by swishing warm water around your mouth. If you can’t dislodge it and it’s starting to cause you pain, speak to your dentist.”

Chewy Christmas Candy

Christmas chocolate selection boxes often come with the ever-popular caramel and toffee sweets. While these are delicious, they are a tooth-hazard waiting to happen if you have any kind of dental restoration. “Toffees are extremely sticky and have the power to pull off dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, bridges, or veneers,” says Dr. Basil. “Opt for chocolates that melt and leave the mouth quickly to limit any dental damage.”

Prosecco

Christmas in your house might not be complete without thise sparkling wine, but according to Dr. Basil it packs a punch on your oral health. “Prosecco is one of the most dentally-damaging drinks if drunk frequently due to the acid, sugar and alcohol levels,” she says. “Enjoy it in moderation and make sure you limit the erosive effects on your tooth enamel by drinking plenty of water in between glasses.”

Cracking nuts

It may sound too obvious, but cracking nuts with your teeth is a bad idea that never goes out of style. “Believe it or not, dentists do see patients who thought they’d crack nuts open with their teeth. The most common result: a fractured molar,” Dr. Basil said. “Nut shells are incredibly hard and teeth are a completely inappropriate tool to open them with. Always use nutcrackers.”

Christmas Contact Injuries

According to Dr. Basil, dental accidents can happen quickly and it can be difficult to completely avoid them, but you can be mindful of potential risks. “Common dental injuries can occur from overexcited children and pets jumping up and accidently knocking into your jaw or mouth,” she says. “It’s also common at crowded social gatherings for someone to brush past you and inadvertently knock your glass into your teeth while you’re taking a sip of a drink.”

Forgetting to brush

There are seemingly limitless jobs to get done in the run up to the Big Day, and brushing your teeth is often seen as a chore that can drop down the priorities list. “Forgetting to brush your teeth on occasion is unlikely to do your teeth any harm,” says Dr.Basil. “However, if you get into the habit of not brushing regularly over the whole festive period, you could put your teeth and gums at increased risk of developing problems. Aim to brush for two minutes, twice a day. It can be helpful to brush your teeth as soon as you wake up - before you do anything else - to avoid forgetting.”

Opening bottles with teeth

Just as with nuts, never open bottles with your teeth. “After a few drinks, opening bottles with your teeth may seem like a harmless idea, but it’s obviously got the potential to cause serious dental damage,” says Dr. Basil. “When hosting Christmas parties, make sure you’ve got plenty of bottle openers handy for guests to use so that no one’s tempted to resort to using their teeth.”

Ice cubes

While blenders are ideal for crushing the ice in your Christmas cocktails, your teeth are not. “Chewing on ice can create microscopic fractures in healthy tooth enamel and can break teeth – especially if you have any fillings, crowns, or bridges,” says Dr.Basil. “For those with sensitive teeth, the cold can also worsen dental pain.”

And if you do get into trouble

Despite your best efforts to follow this advice, things happen. If you encounter a dental injury, Dr. Basil offers full restorative family dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services, including:


Enjoy the holidays, and stay safe!

Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and  New Britain, Connecticut.  She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121

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