5 festive treats that can stain or damage your teeth

Everyone deserves to let loose at Christmas and enjoy a few extra treats here and there. With it just around the corner, festive food and drink have started hitting the shelves of the shops (and our cupboards and fridges). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of indulgence; however, it’s always best to be mindful while you’re enjoying your treats when it comes to your oral health.

We offer a wide range of dental treatments here at AP Smilecare, so we’re no strangers to the effects of the Christmas season on your teeth. We always advise our patients that being informed is the best way to protect your teeth during the festive season – along with moderation, of course! But we know that’s easier said than done at a Christmas party. So, we’ve put together a list of foods and drinks to be mindful of while you celebrate this year.

1. Mulled wine

Mulled wine is a festive classic that can warm up any chilly winter night or Christmas market, but it can leave its mark on your teeth. The rich, deep red colour contains anthocyanins (the pigment that gives purple grapes their deep colour), which can cause staining. Also, the acidity in the wine can weaken enamel if it’s consumed too frequently.

So what can you do aside from brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing? Well, drinking water after your mulled wine can flush away staining pigments and dilute the acid. If you find yourself having a few glasses throughout the evening, have some sugar-free chewing gum to hand. Chewing gum stimulates saliva, which helps to naturally neutralise acids and protect your teeth from damage (and you won’t have wine breath – win-win!).

2. Chocolate, sweets, and toffee

This is the obvious one. We know Christmas wouldn’t be the same without chocolate, sweets, and toffees, but these sugary treats can be harmful to your teeth; the sugar content feeds bacteria in your mouth, which produces acids that can lead to tooth decay. Sticky toffees and chocolate cling to your teeth, increasing plaque build-up.

To help reduce the risk, try to brush your teeth after indulging, or at the very least, rinse your mouth with water. (The same goes for when you drink hot chocolate!) This helps remove sugar and debris and prevents plaque from forming!

3. Dried fruit

Dried fruit is a real Christmas staple; whether it’s mince pies or you’re partial to a Christmas cake, they’re often packed with raisins, sultanas, or currants. Although it’s delicious, dried fruit can stick to your teeth, leaving behind concentrated natural sugars that feed bacteria and contribute to tooth decay. The sticky texture of dried fruit can be particularly troublesome when it comes to sticking around on your teeth. To minimise the risk, try pairing dried fruit with other foods during your Christmas meal – this helps neutralise acids. If you can’t brush your teeth right away, rinse with water to help wash away those sticky sugars!

4. Fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks like Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite and Dr Pepper are often a go-to choice at Christmas parties for children and adults alike, and while tasty, it’s no secret that they’re not the best for your teeth. Whether sugary or sugar-free, these drinks are acidic and can erode tooth enamel over time. The sugar in fizzy pop also promotes bacterial growth, and you guessed it, this leads to tooth decay. To limit the impact, avoid sipping on them throughout the day and save them for a meal or party, and to reduce the staining and sugar clinging to your teeth, try using a straw to minimise contact with your teeth where

5. Tea and coffee

This one isn’t exactly Christmas-exclusive, but tea and coffee are staples during the festive season, especially with late-night gatherings. However, both drinks can cause staining, especially darker brews like black coffee -even green tea can stain teeth.

The acidity in tea and coffee can also weaken tooth enamel over time, and most people take theirs with sugar. But if you’re going to drink them, add a few glasses of water between drinks to help neutralise the acid and wash away the sugar. And as we said earlier, sugar-free chewing gum can help clean teeth, neutralise acids, and reduce staining!

We love the festive season as much as anyone else here at AP Smilecare, so we’re not saying you can’t enjoy your favourite foods and drinks over Christmas; we’re just saying that, like anything else, they’re best consumed in moderation.

At AP Smilecare, our expert team is here to help you keep your smile beaming even over the festive period. If you’re interested in getting any treatments done before the festive season is in full swing, you can click here to see our full range of dental treatments or give us a call on 01254 297 000 to book an appointment. We’d love to hear from you!