The festive season is a time to celebrate with loved ones, which usually includes indulging in festive foods.
From candy canes to chestnuts, Christmas foods can be as tempting as they are damaging to your teeth.
While enjoying the festive food is part of the fun, some holiday favourites can lead to unexpected dental issues, and with the current shortage of dentists across the UK, you don’t want to spend hours waiting for an appointment when you could be celebrating.
Before you dive into the feast, whether that’s sitting around the table with family or at the office Christmas party, Dr Smita Mehra, BDS MFGDPRCS and Principal Dentist at The Neem Tree Dental Practice has compiled a list of the festive favourites you should approach with caution.
Nuts
While nuts are healthy, cracking them open with your teeth can damage enamel or even cause fractures, so always use a nutcracker!
If you are someone with sensitive teeth or dental work, opt for softer nuts like cashews or peanuts to avoid potentially damaging them during Christmas.
Mulled Wine
Red wine is naturally acidic. The added citrus (like orange slices or juice) and spices used to make mulled wine can further increase its acidity.
As acids weaken tooth enamel, your teeth are more prone to erosion and sensitivity.
Dried Fruit
Don’t be deceived by dried fruit, although advertised as healthy, they have a super high sugar count. While you will often find them in Christmas puddings or in chutneys, be careful with the amount you consume.
This is because dried fruits stick to teeth and are difficult to remove, meaning the sugars and acids stay in contact with enamel for longer periods compared to non-sticky foods.
Candy Canes
Biting into a candy cane can exert force on your teeth, potentially resulting in enamel chips or cracks, particularly for those with weak teeth or dental work such as fillings or crowns.
Toffee and Caramel
Toffee and caramel take a while to dissolve, meaning the tasty treat will stay in your mouth longer than other sweets, allowing sugar and acids to damage teeth over time
The sticky residue left by toffee and caramel is challenging to remove through brushing and flossing, particularly in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth.
If left to linger in your mouth, it can weaken enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
Bones in Meat
Biting down hard on a hard bone can lead to cracked teeth, which may require fillings or crowns, or chipped enamel, exposing the sensitive layers of the tooth and increasing your chances of decay.
When tucking into your Christmas dinner, cut the meat off the bone instead of biting directly into it and take your time to ensure there are no bits of bone in each bite.