Tips for taking care of your teeth this Easter
Easter is nearly upon us and for many that means chocolate! The supermarkets shelves are stacked high with chocolate eggs and children are looking forward to Easter egg hunts. It is especially important to remember your dental routine over the Easter period. Your oral health doesn’t have to suffer if you take the right precautions. Here are a few dental tips from the team at Langmans:
- 1.Eat chocolate at meal times – don’t graze
You can minimise the damage chocolates and sweets cause by limiting tooth exposure to them. Sugar combines with the bacteria in your mouth to create acids which attack the enamel of your teeth. The more frequently you eat the longer your teeth will be exposed to this decay causing acid. - 2.Drink plenty of water
Drinking water increases the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva neutralises the acids produced by the bacteria. - 3.Wait to brush
You may think that you’re doing the right thing by brushing your teeth straight after enjoying chocolate, but you could actually be doing more harm than good. The acid softens the enamel and so brushing when there is still acid in your mouth can help wear away the enamel. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating sugary foods to give your saliva time to neutralise the harmful acids. - 4.Avoid sticky or hard sweets
Sticky sweets can get stuck in-between teeth making them harder to flush away and so giving the sugars in them longer time to break down your enamel. We also often see patients who have lost fillings due to chewing toffees and chipped teeth from biting on hard boiled sweets. Chocolate, preferably dark, is best. - 5.Don’t forget to brush your teeth!
If you are going on holiday or visiting friends and family, don’t forget to pack your toothbrush. Remember to brush your teeth twice a day and use floss or interdental brushes to clean the areas your toothbrush cannot reach.
Our teeth are precious. At Langmans we promote a preventative approach through regular check ups and hygiene appointments. Why not treat your teeth to a hygienist visit as a follow up to this chocolate filled season.
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