Be kind to your teeth this Easter

Easter can be a challenging time for your teeth. So how can you enjoy chocolate over Easter and look after your oral health at the same time?

We’ve put together some handy tips to help you have a fun Easter that’s kinder to your teeth.

1. Limit chocolate to mealtimes
   When we eat anything sugary it feeds bacteria living on our teeth, which creates harmful acids. These acids soften the enamel on your teeth making them more susceptible to erosion and decay. If you have some chocolate every few hours, your teeth will constantly be under attack. Instead of constant snacking, keep it to mealtimes which will reduce the number of times your teeth come into contact with sugar.
2. Go for dark chocolate or low sugar alternatives
   Dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa or organic if possible), is better for your oral health as it is rich in antioxidants and contains less sugar than milk or white chocolate.¹ Otherwise, look for low sugar or sugar free alternatives.
3. Don’t brush straight after eating
   When you eat or drink, the plaque bacteria in your mouth creates acid that chips away at the enamel. Brushing straight after a drink or meal increases the risk of damaging the enamel, so try to wait an hour before brushing your teeth and use a fluoride toothpaste. ²
4. Drink water after eating chocolate
   Having a glass of water helps wash away lingering chocolate that might be left on your teeth. It also has lots of other health benefits too including increased energy levels, improved digestion and flushing out toxins!

Prevention is the key to maintaining healthy teeth and gums this Easter – and all year round! Regular dental check-ups are important to making sure any issues are caught early and, with our Good All Round cash plan, you can claim money back towards the cost of visits to the dentist.

For example, level 2 cover (which costs £14.43 per month) enables you to claim up to £90 towards dental treatment which more than covers the £65.20 cost of Band 2 NHS dental treatment; or it can be used for private dental treatment costs instead.

What’s more, with Good All Round, you can also claim money back for other everyday health costs including glasses, contact lenses, prescription charges, physiotherapy and much more.

Find out more here: http://www.sovereignhealthcare.co.uk/good-all-round

Terms and conditions apply.

 

^{1 Honour Health}

^{2 The Dental Surgery}