Don't let over-indulgence spoil your smile!

Christmas celebrations almost always revolve around food in some way. The problem is, we as a country, just love to indulge. There's something so exciting about a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie with friends.

Most people do at least try and follow a healthy diet, but at Christmas, the majority of people absolutely forget any healthy eating plan, and get stuck into every chocolate and pastry going. You might know that your waistline expands over Christmas, but did you know that your teeth also suffer during the festivities? Dental emergencies often soar at Christmas, and many people find themselves in discomfort with their teeth because of overindulgence.

At Christmas we enjoy ourselves and relax, but we commonly find ourselves at risk of damaging and neglecting our teeth, and it really isn't fun having a dental emergency over Christmas.

Here are the top foods to consume at Christmas that won't damage your teeth:

• Cheese - Cheese is a wonderful Christmas treat, and luckily chunks of it won't do any harm to your teeth. In fact, cheese is good for your teeth because it is full of calcium.
• Nuts - When cracking nuts from their shells, be careful to completely separate the shell as a chomp on nutshell is a recipe for disaster. If you manage to do that, or you choose to consume shelled nuts, your teeth are in for a safe treat jam packed with healthy vitamins and minerals.
• Broccoli and other vegetables - Are great for the teeth as not only are they not going to cause any damage, but they also provide a good source of vitamin A.
• Turkey - Full of protein, turkey is great for the teeth because it is easily chewed and full of phosphorus, calcium and vitamin D.

But Always Avoid! - Cracking nuts with your teeth, cracking bottles open with your teeth, chewing on toffees if you have dentures or braces, and biting down on ice or hard sweets.

General Happy Smile Tips

As well as avoiding anything that might damage your teeth, it is a good idea to try and steer clear of food and drink that is really bad for your teeth. Any fizzy drinks, chocolate, biscuits, crackers, cakes - should be consumed at mealtimes only, or generally consumed at a minimum. Cracking your teeth is one thing, but cavities, gum disease and other issues can also lead to dental emergencies, or painful conditions later down the line; so it is always a good idea to try to keep your oral health in check whatever the season.

In The Case Of A Dental Emergency

If you are unlucky enough to have a dental emergency in Egham over Christmas, the first thing you should do is call our dentist to book an emergency appointment. The quicker you can get in to the dentist after the incident, the better. Even if it is a 'clean' injury such as a lost tooth and you feel like it can wait until after Christmas, you should still see a dentist to check there is no tooth left in the mouth and to discuss your tooth replacement options.

If you have chipped or fractured a tooth, booking an appointment depends on how much discomfort or pain you are in. Your Egham dentist will be able to make an appointment to suit your needs. If we are unable to resolve the issue fully in an emergency session, your dentist will be able to make you more comfortable until you can come back in for a more detailed procedure.

For dental emergencies, or general enquiries, our friendly TW20 team can be reached on 01784432641.