Enhance Dental’s Festive Cheat Sheet

As Christmas approaches, the season of mince pies, selection boxes and mulled wine arrives with it. We all know the usual advice: don’t eat too much sugar, brush twice a day for two minutes, and floss. Still important. Still true. But at this time of year, when we all enjoy a few extra treats, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and avoid a January filled with toothache or unexpected dental bills.

The good news? They are straightforward, realistic and easy to build into the holiday routine.

Sugar, festive snacks and how to work with them

December brings more grazing than any other month — a biscuit here, a sweet there, a handful of chocolate at someone’s desk. The challenge isn’t sugar itself; it’s frequency.

Chocolate is often labelled “naughty”, but it actually clears from the teeth faster than sticky sweets. Your saliva washes it away more easily, which gives your enamel a chance to recover. So if you fancy a chocolate after Christmas dinner, that’s much kinder to your teeth than nibbling sweets all afternoon.

Be mindful of acidic foods and drinks too. Christmas clementines, Prosecco, mulled wine and lemon-based drinks can slowly erode enamel if taken too often. It’s about timing, not restriction. Enjoy festive treats as part of mealtimes rather than constant snacking, aim for three meals and two snacks, and keep water as your main drink. This gives your teeth time to remineralise between acid attacks.

Why two minutes of brushing really does matter – especially in December

The holiday season can throw routines out of the window, but brushing time is worth protecting.

Break it down:

• Two arches = one minute each!

Seen this way, two minutes becomes doable, even during a busy December morning. A simple trick is to play a short Christmas song while brushing — it keeps you focused and makes the time pass quickly.

Quick tip: brush before breakfast, or wait 30 minutes after eating. Brushing straight after food can scrub softened enamel.

Electric toothbrush: your Christmas helper

If you’re tired, full of turkey or simply distracted by festive chaos, an electric toothbrush is the ultimate backup. It handles the technique for you, keeps time with an in-built timer, and even warns you if you’re brushing too hard with a pressure sensor.

In other words, it’s a tiny dental coach in your bathroom — even on the days you’d rather be on the sofa with a blanket.

Flossing, simplified for the holidays

Nobody considers flossing festive — but neither are fillings. Even the best toothbrush cannot reach between your teeth, and that’s exactly where Christmas food likes to hide.

Interdental brushes make things easier. You don’t need to stand in the bathroom for ages; once you get used to them, you can clean between your teeth while watching a Christmas film or waiting for the kettle to boil. One minute a day is enough. Interdental brushes are the ‘gold standard’ way of cleaning in-between your teeth and if you don’t use them then you’re not brushing 40% of your teeth!

If you’re unsure which size to use, our hygienists can show you. It’s quick, comfortable and very worthwhile. Come and pick up some packs at Enhance Dental to see you over the Christmas period.

Extra prevention before the new year

A few additional steps can make a big difference:

• Teeth straightening removes tight corners and overlaps where plaque gathers.
• Professional fluoride applications strengthen enamel and can reverse early decay before it becomes a problem.

And of course, regular dental check-ups help us catch small issues before they become painful — something everyone wants to avoid over Christmas.

We’re here throughout the festive season

At Enhance Dental our aim is to help you keep your smile healthy, confident and comfortable — so you can enjoy your celebrations without dental worries. If you ever have questions, need advice or want reassurance, just ask. You are never expected to know it all on your own.

Tags: christmas, Dental, dentist, dentist garforth, dentist leeds