The festive season is here - bringing family gatherings, late-night catchups, and plenty of delicious treats. While it’s perfectly fine to indulge, our teeth often take the hit without us realising. With a few simple habits, you can enjoy every moment and keep your smile feeling its best.
1. Be Mindful of Sugary Snacks
It’s almost impossible to avoid chocolates, cookies, and sweet treats at this time of year. Enjoy them in moderation. A helpful tip is to have sweets alongside meals rather than grazing throughout the day. This reduces the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugar.
2. Balance with Water
With festive drinks flowing, don’t forget to sip water regularly. It does more than keep you hydrated — it helps rinse away food particles, neutralise acids, and prevent that dry, sticky feeling in your mouth.
3. Keep Your Routine Going
Busy schedules and late nights can disrupt even the best habits, but brushing and flossing still matter. Stick to brushing twice a day and flossing daily. If you know you’ll be out all day, a small travel toothbrush in your bag can be a lifesaver.
4. Give Your Teeth a Break with Better Snacks
Between indulgences, choose tooth-friendly options such as cheese, fruits, or vegetables. They’re satisfying, nutritious, and kinder to your teeth.
5. Schedule That Dental Visit
If it’s been more than six months since your last check-up, the start of the year is a great time to pop by. A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar that brushing alone can’t reach.
With a little extra care, your smile can stay bright and healthy all season long. Here’s to good food, great company, and confident smiles!
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Dr Irene Sim is an Endodontist with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Endodontics from the National University of Singapore. Dr Sim has a special interest in dental traumatology, revascularisation, apexification, nonvital bleaching & cracked teeth management.
http://www.specialistdentalgroup.com | (65) 6733 7883
