Summer in Australia is everybody’s favourite time of the year. The festive period is coming, the days are getting longer, the temperature is increasing, and more time is spent outdoors. This time of year sees an increase of family BBQs, beach days and of course, the sugary treats- but the increase of sugary treats and uprooted routines opens a window for dental emergencies.
Here are 5 easy tips to implement during the festive period to close that window on potential dental emergencies.
1. Reduce your sugar intake

We all know that the festive periods brings about an increase in treats and sugary drinks, but this festive period think about the damage you’re causing to your overall oral health. Sugary foods and drinks produce acid with the bacteria in your mouth, which can wear down the surface of your teeth, which causes tooth decay.
Children’s teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay as their enamel on their teeth is thinner and weaker than adults.
We don’t expect you to cut out sugar complete during the festive period, however, we do recommend cutting down the amount you consume. This includes more than just lollies and chocolates, this also includes dried fruits, processed foods and drinks such as soft drinks and juices.
2. More water, less alcohol

Alcohol is consumed frequently during the holiday period, but alcohol can also increase your risk of developing a dental problem, and some can be very serious.
Some alcoholic beverages such as red wine cause discolouration of your teeth, and excessive alcohol consumption can enhance your risk of developing oral cancer.
When drinking alcohol this holiday season, we recommended drinking a glass of water after every glass to not only stay hydrated, but to wash away any left over food debris and damaging acid on your teeth.
3. Don’t use your teeth as ‘tools’
Using your teeth to open a bottle or rip a piece of sticky tape is convenient in the moment, but in the long term it can cause serious damage to your teeth.
This festive period, keep an eye out when your kids are opening presents to make sure they’re not using their teeth to rip open their new Barbie doll or Lego set.
It’s not just children we need to keep an eye out for, we all need to be aware of using our teeth to open objects or rip things as this can wear down your teeth and potentially cause chips or teeth to fall out.
If you do damage a tooth, you should contact a dentist immediately as soon as possible.
4. Protect your teeth when playing sports
Summer nights usually consist of family BBQ and backyard sporting events and these can get quite competitive.
While playing sports with your kids make sure to protect their teeth, especially when playing any contact sports like rugby, as they have a higher chance of losing a tooth playing contact sports and activities.
Make sure to protect your kids teeth with a mouth guard if the game gets seriously as wearing a mouth guard can reduce the severity of injuries and prevents any tooth loss.
5. Keep up your dental hygiene habits
The holiday period can be a busy time and usually regular routines are abandoned for sleep ins, staying up late and trips away with friends and family.
It is important to keep up your regular dental routine, especially with kids to ensure perfect oral hygiene.
Keeping up a good oral hygiene includes:
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing between your teeth once a day
- Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet
- Drink plenty of water
- Keeping up with your scheduled dental check-ups
This holiday period its important to relax and spend time with your loved ones, but it is also important to think about your oral health when overindulging in sweets and treats. Make sure to keep up your regular dental routine, but most importantly, have fun and relax!
For more tips and tricks speak to one of our friendly and professional dentists here at Comfort Dental – contact one of our friendly team members on (07) 3067 6156.