12 Days of Christmas: Get a Smile as White as Snow!

It’s important to look after your teeth at any time of the year, but even more so at Christmas, where festive parties and family get-togethers mean indulgence in food and drink. Have a white Christmas with these top tips for a bright, healthy smile.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, which means one thing: this Christmas, it’s all too tempting to enjoy a little festive indulgence. At Christmas, it’s completely fine (and recommended!) to treat yourself, but too much can have a harmful impact on your overall health. Here’s our festive countdown of the ways you can get a smile as sparkling as the finest champagne this December., all with the help of our cosmetic dentists.

Group of friends celebrating Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Christmas pudding and a bottle of fizz(y)

There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to a mince pie on the big day, but it’s important to watch your sugar intake. Excessive amounts of sugar won’t only appear on your waistline but can cause your teeth to decay. The mouth is a breeding ground for oral bacteria, both good and bad. While healthy bacteria can actually protect your teeth and stave off bad breath, harmful bacteria can create acids that destroy the tooth enamel and cause cavities. If you’re concerned about these, our team of dentists can help.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Two minutes of brushing

Having the right dental routine is vital for maintaining strong oral health. To ensure your teeth are completely clean, we advise you brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.

Two minutes can seem like a long time, especially if you have little ones. However, there are ways you can make brushing fun for your children. Consider letting them choose their own toothbrush, play a song they enjoy while they brush (you can even get singing toothbrushes!) or create a motivating reward chart they can collect stickers on in exchange for a special treat.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Three months of braces

Crooked teeth can have a massive impact on our confidence, but having braces need not be a long process. With our Quick Straight Teeth treatment, you could get beautiful straight teeth in as little as three months. Our orthodontists  are more than happy to discuss your options with you.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: (All on) Four dental implants

If you have missing teeth, our dental implants in York are a perfect solution. Our innovative All on Four treatment allows you to have your implants fitted in one single visit. Fixed permanently to a supporting bridge, this negates the need for dentures, meaning you won’t have to worry about movement when you eat and speak or remove them at the end of your day.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Five-star smile makeover

Looking for a complete transformation of your smile? Our five-star smile makeover treatment is performed by our experienced cosmetic dentists. Whether you require a simple filling and teeth whitening session or need a mix of orthodontic treatment, implants and porcelain crowns, with our bespoke service, we’ll tailor a solution to you.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Six-Month Smiles

Six-Month Smiles treatment is a clear braces treatment designed to give you straight teeth in a shorter time-frame compared to traditional braces, which can take upwards of a year. Gone are the days of unattractive visible braces; with our treatment, your braces are matched with the colour of your teeth for near invisibility. No-one will know you’re wearing them! They work by applying gentle pressure to the crowns of your teeth for rapid realignment. Dr Jenny Kabir is one of the first cosmetic dentists in York to offer such treatment.

On the seventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Seven strips of chewing gum

Halitosis, or as it’s more commonly known, bad breath, can be hugely embarrassing. While chewing gum shouldn’t be considered a long-term solution — and you should visit your  if you continue to have problems — sugar-free gum can actually stimulate the salivary glands, which washes away food acids and cultivates healthy bacteria.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Eight dental crowns

Our teeth are fragile and can become easily damaged. A crown is a false cap that covers the surface of the affected tooth. If you’re missing multiple teeth in a row, your dentist may advise a dental bridge. This allows for a series of teeth to be attached to implants, anchored by the natural teeth on either side of the gap.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Nine feet of dental floss

When we eat, it’s easy for small bits of food to become trapped between the teeth. If not properly removed, this can lead to the growth of bacteria, which can cause gum disease. Flossing can help, but it’s vital to do it correctly. When you first start flossing, you may experience tenderness or bleeding. This is normal and it should stop as your gums become healthier. It’s crucial to follow the advice of your dentist

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Ten (x2) baby teeth

Did you know that most children have a set of 20 milk teeth? As your child gets older, those teeth will begin to fall out to make way for adult teeth. But is there anything you can do to ensure your children’s teeth are as healthy as possible? Getting your child into an early routine of regularly — and properly — brushing their teeth will encourage positive habits. Use a fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay, but be wary of your children using too much. A pea-sized amount will suffice, as excessive exposure to fluoride can cause a condition in children called fluorosis, which is marked by stained and pitted teeth.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Eleven healthy foods

We all like to indulge at Christmas, but it’s good to maintain a healthy balance. Swap that chocolate bar for a calcium-rich snack — that cheese board might not be so bad! Don’t be afraid to scrimp on the Christmas dinner, too. Meat is high in phosphorous, which can keep your tooth enamel healthy.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Twelve months interest-free

Getting the perfect smile need not cost you your entire bank balance. Whatever treatment you require, from dental implants to cosmetic dentistry, at Fresh Dental Smile Clinic, we offer a wide range of finance options to support you. All of our initial consultations are free of charge and the cost of your treatment will be clearly explained to you before you proceed. We offer the chance to spread your payments over up to 48 months interest-free, or if you join our Denplan membership programme, you’ll benefit from reduced fees, priority appointments and more.

From all of us at Fresh Dental Smile Clinic, we wish you a Merry (and healthy!) Christmas.

Christmas banner with hanging baubles.

Make yourself a New Year’s resolution to get your teeth into tip-top condition. Contact Fresh Dental Smile Clinic for your free appointment with one of our dentists in York and let us help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.