If you’re dreaming of a pearly white Christmas, you may want to stay clear of certain festive foods and drinks that will stain your teeth and snatch away any hopes of achieving a snowy white smile. Santa Claus is often seen sporting a brilliant white smile himself, the perfect accessory for his classic red and white suit. A bright smile is a sign of good health and hygiene, whereas yellow stained teeth are more commonly associated with the likes of Ebenezer Scrooge, rather than with Father Christmas.
Overindulging during the holidays is commonplace, but it is also extremely important to keep up with your oral hygiene routine to avoid the risk of stained teeth. Below we have included a list of foods that are most likely to stain your teeth over the holiday season:
Wine
Wine will be flowing in abundance over Christmas and whilst a few glasses won’t do you any harm, excess consumption can be problematic for your teeth. Red wine is particularly hazardous because it is full of chromogens which produce tooth-discolouring pigments. On top of this, it also contains tannins. This dries out the mouth and can make the teeth quite sticky which only worsens the staining process further.
Unfortunately, switching red for white wine won’t solve this problem because white wine contains erosive acids that contribute to enamel erosion and staining. Instead of sipping wine throughout the day, enjoy a glass or two with your main meal to lessen the effects on your teeth.
Tea & Coffee
Tea and coffee are well known to be damaging to the enamel of our teeth. The enamel itself is quite sensitive and is made up of crystal-like rods that have small catches. It is within these tiny pits that staining foods and drinks find their resting place. Another area that is particularly vulnerable to tea and coffee are the retained plaque areas on the tooth’s surface. This area will feel rough, thus making it ideal for extrinsic staining. To avoid that undesirable ‘coffee smile’, it is advisable to reduce your coffee/tea intake as much as possible.
Sweets & Chocolate
Christmas is the sugar season. Tins of chocolates, colourful candy canes and sweet filled stockings are commonplace in everyone’s household over the festive season. However, despite being excruciatingly tempting, sugary foods are the prime cause of dental tooth decay. For some reason, most of the sweet (and delicious) foods present around Christmas are hard, sticky and above all – full of sugar.
Enjoy sugary foods in moderation, drink plenty of water, remember to floss and brush your teeth extremely well afterwards. If you’re looking for alternatives, try snacking on nuts instead which are not only tasty but contain amounts of vitamin D and calcium which are both beneficial to your oral hygiene.
Fizzy Drinks
Sugary drinks tend to be the fizziest ones in the fridge. These types of carbonated drinks are highly acidic and sugary, causing tooth enamel erosion, which not only stains your teeth but also damages their integrity. Try to avoid fizzy drinks when you can and if you just can’t resist a cold glass of cola, use a straw to minimize the drinks interaction with your teeth.
Teeth Staining Solutions
1. Teeth Whitening
The pursuit of a snow white smile can be easily achieved with teeth whitening treatments, such as those we offer here at Docklands Dental. If you would like a brighter smile for Christmas and the New Year, talk to us about home whitening.
A specially designed Home Whitening Kit is easy to use and non-invasive. Our Dentist in Dublin will get your teeth as white as naturally possible – at least 3-4 shades brighter from the time of treatment. Our teeth whitening kits are clinically proven for teeth whitening efficacy and provide visibly whiter teeth in just three days – a perfect gift for a white Christmas.
2. Flossing
Flossing will help to reduce plaque build-up on the teeth and gums. This helps to reduce staining and keeps your teeth in top condition.
3. Regular Brushing
Brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes. This will give you enough time to clean bacteria and other harmful deposits from your teeth and gums. Don’t brush too hard though, instead brush lightly and move your brush in circular movements for best results. Brushing after meals, especially over the Christmas period, will also help to reduce the effects of staining foods.
Dreaming of a White Christmas Smile can become a reality with help from Docklands Dental. Start the new year with a brighter smile, contact us today!
Tel: 01 636 0192
Email: hello@docklandsdental.ie
Want a whiter smile in time? You can book an appointment online or call 01 636 0192. We are at 1 Forbes Street, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2.
