Shropshire dentist's plea: 'eat treats in moderation' to protect teeth
This time of year can put dentists under extra pressure
A top Shropshire dentist is calling on people to eat festive treats in moderation to best protect their teeth.
This time of year can put extra pressure on dentists, as people consume more sweet treats than usual.
'Try and find a balance'
Dr Tony Ahmed, chair of Shropshire's dental network, said fizzy drinks will increase the risk of tooth decay, whilst sticky and hard sweets can cause wear:
"People are also snacking a bit more which can have an impact as well. Moderation is the key, a little bit of anything is fine.
"You can find alternatives to sweets with things like nuts, cheese and yoghurt. Crunchy vegetables can be an alternative to sweets all day too. Just try and find a balance," he said.
Avoiding an emergency appointment...
The warning comes as experts warn emergency appointments will be difficult to come by between Christmas and New Year.
Here's some advice to avoid needing an appointment this festive period:
- Be careful with ice, boiled sweets, whole nuts or rock-hard pork crackling which can cause the most sudden, dramatic incidents like cracked teeth and lost crowns
- Floss well to avoid sticky toffee or fudge pulling out loose fillings. They also leave sticky decay-causing residue
- Never use your teeth to open bottles, cut anything or tear tape