Caring for teeth revealed to be a holiday must for Brits
In a poll of the most important items to take on holiday, it has been revealed that a toothbrush is the most important holiday essential for Brits, with nearly 16% of participants prioritizing the toothbrush over items such as sun cream, sweets, and swimwear.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, offered holiday-goers some advice on how to care for their teeth whilst on holiday.
Dr Carter said that as holidays “often mean we end up snacking throughout the day”, particularly if young children are involved the frequency of holiday snacking can be harm your teeth and have lasting implications. Dr Carter states that these snacks “are potentially okay in moderation but they should be kept to mealtimes only,” as enamel, the protective coating around teeth, can be worn away as sugars “stimulate the formation of acids that attack the teeth and destroy the enamel. Tooth decay causes cavities and results in the need for fillings,” as Dr Carter notes.
He continues to say that snacking is common habit, but that many of us do not realise that “every time we eat or drink anything sugary, our teeth are under acid attack for up to one hour.”
Dr Carter noted the dangers of snacking, particularly on acidic foods and drinks, including “the risk of dental erosion and tooth decay.” He stated that the risks of dental erosion and tooth decay are “increased during the holiday season as eating-habits and patterns often change. It is more likely that normal meal-times are disrupted during the holidays and snacking and grazing increases, which can cause multiple-attacks on teeth throughout the day.”
