Santa Claus visited the University of Alberta's School of Dentistry clinic and got his pre-Christmas dental checkup from associate clinical professor in dental hygiene Alexandra Sheppard. Everyone is reminded to brush and floss after each meal this holiday.
Children may want to leave out a few slices of cheese next to Santa's cookies and milk this Christmas Eve as it's proven to be one of the best ways to combat acid erosion on your teeth after eating a meal.
Protect your family's smile this holiday season and keep cavities at bay by following these simple tips:
- Wait 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth
- Choose hard cheese, unsweetened nuts to follow a meal or dessert
- Unsweetened juice and milk create an acidic environment in the mouth for 30 minutes; Cookies and chocolates create an acidic environment for up to 120 minutes
- Brush your teeth well with a fluoridated toothpaste before bed time and gently floss the teeth.
- Chewing gum stimulates salivary flow and helps restore the pH in the mouth