As soon as this topic pops into my head; I am switching the kettle on, wrapping my legs in that white, wooly blanket (going into full Egyptian mummy mode) and already wondering, what pudding I will bake first: tiramisu or lemon cake? The winter months slowly descend upon us, and while there are many beautiful reasons to enjoy this season, it is a challenging time in terms of diet and brushing.
I have written a few quick tips I consider important to keeping up healthy teeth and gum habits, let’s dive into them😉
Chilly weather tips
- Stay on a routine or create a new one, if necessary
Since wintertime often runs on a different timetable than other seasons, use this to your advantage and create a new routine in which dental hygiene plays a part. This routine should include brushing teeth for at least two minutes twice daily and flossing once a day. One way to keep to this habit is to set an alarm on your phone/watch to remind you of your daily toothbrushing and flossing times. These times may be different than the times you brush and floss in other seasons, and that’s okay 😊
- Drink plenty of water and eat healthy diet
What is your favourite pudding? – Most of us love to indulge in sweets occasionally. It is OK to eat sweet foods once a week, however it is paramount to eat sweet foods ideally within your meals so you can brush straight after, which will reduce the damage to your teeth” – dear all, treats in moderation can be cavity and regrets free!
- What about hydration? Your health and wellbeing depend largely on your body’s pH balance. Winter is when we drink water the least throughout the year. There are few herbal teas like chamomile, mint and fennel tea which are alkaline and neutralize acidity. These teas usually have a high pH level which will protect your teeth, so these will be a great warm, winter substitute!
- Fruit teas, on the other hand, are much more acidic (they have a pH of 2.7 to 3.4 depending on composition and steeping time). These teas can be great antioxidants, so don’t forget to drink plain water after enjoying fruit teas to increase salivary pH and prevent dental erosion.
W A T E R – cold or hot, is still the most recommendable option for adults and kids
- I enjoy snacking so much! – In autumn/winter is when we usually are spending more time at home, so snack smarter 😊 there are plenty of brands in the market which offer sugar free snacks.
Snack swaps
Savoury
- Instead of crisps, try plain popcorn with added spices or cinnamon
- Instead of bread and dips, try carrots and celery with salsa or low-fat hummus
Sweet
- Instead of milk chocolate, try dark chocolate rice cakes
- Instead of ice cream, try frozen banana or low-fat frozen yogurt
Drinks
- Instead of fizzy sugary drinks, try water flavoured with mint or fresh fruit
- For kids: let your children tell you when they’re hungry instead of offering snacks throughout the day. They’re not afraid to let you know when they want something to eat!
- Keep Your Appointments
Wow. We are in November 2020 –the world has walked at different speeds through this challenging year. I can imagine the simple act of going to the dentist can feel overwhelming. However, I would like to encourage you to bear in mind that Dentistry is not an elective procedure – We are indispensable to your mouth health, as well as to the health of the rest of your body.
Why? – Because the health of your mouth is also impacting your heart, your lungs, your kidneys, your brain and whole body.
Lastly, a dental check-up can identify any needs early! and sometimes help you avoid pain and expense later. With a COVID rate of 0,9%, we are one of the safest places to go nowadays. Looking forward to welcoming you back😉
We are what we eat and so our oral health – we will definitely tackle alkaline foods and plant-based diet further down the path. Lots of love to everyone and stay safe.
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