Dr. Bronagh Keane
"Building confidence with a little smile magic"
Ireland's Toothfairy
Diet advice from Ireland's Toothfairy
Drinks
- Drink lots of plain water, with no dilutes such as Ribenna or Miwade ( Sugar attacks are based on frequency not how much sugar so if you have a drop or alot its how often will affect your teeth)
- Avoid all bubble drinks such as fizzy water or sodas. The bubbles are carbonic ACID which attacks your teeth.
- Avoid sugar and honey in tea and coffee ( it is an easy one to get rid of, to allow you to save your treat of the day a different time of day)
Breakfast
-Stay away from sugary cereals. I only recommend Weetabix and porridge, with no honey or sugar! Try a banana on top!
-Keep your orange juice to a treat on the weekend and remember to drink a glass of water straight after citrus foods to minimise the acid attack of the acid on the teeth. Also your teeth are vulnerable and weak for 30 mins after, so do not brush your teeth for at least 30 mins after.
-Berries are to be managed like treats, eat them in one go to reduce the frequency and length of time your teeth are being attacked (Your teeth will be under attack for an hour after your last berry!)
- Stay away from jams, marmalades and Nutellas if they aren't in the house, they won't be eaten!
Snacks
- Cheese is great! The bacteria stick to the cheese and get washed away.
- Crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery cleanse the teeth.
- Raisins are dried crystallized fruit. They are crystallised from lots of sugar. Try nuts instead, they are great at helping to clean the teeth!
- Stay away from Toffees, Jellies and hard sweets they get stuck on your teeth and are impossible to remove, without them dissolving naturally over a long period of time while also rotting your teeth. This is because they get stuck in the pits and grooves of your teeth
- Within reason chocolate, biscuits and crisps are okay, as they glide over the teeth easier. But try to have them after dinner so the sugars stick to the food and get washed away! Also don't space out your treats by having one biscuit now and one in an hour, this delays the teeth recovering from the attack. It takes your teeth an hour to recover after you have had your last sugar intake.
- If you like chewing gum, try sticking to the sugar free one. Sugar free gum is good for increasing the saliva production to help wash away the bad guys.
Oral hygiene advice from Ireland's Toothfairy
- Brush twice a day, in the morning and last thing before you go to bed, with a SOFT bristle toothbrush, in a circular motion.
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Check out the blue bristles on the 'Ireland's Toothfairy' toothbrush as a guide.
- Spit and do NOT rinse with water or mouthwash after brushing your teeth. Rinsing after brushing your teeth is the same as putting cream on your skin and jumping in the shower. If you want to use mouthwash, a good time to use it is after work or lunch. Otherwise, wait at least 30 mins after brushing before using mouthwash or drinking water.
- Use interdental brushes or floss once a day. I prefer interdental brushes and I use them at night as that's when I have more time, but do what suits you. Have them out beside your toothbrush so you don't forget to use them! It is important to clean all surfaces of your teeth and not just the smiling ones!
- Store your toothbrush in a clean dry area such as the travel case provided. Although keep the case open for ventilation when it is in the bathroom.
-Change your toothbrush every 3 months. Consider a new one sooner if you have been sick!
Happy brushing from Ireland's Toothfairy!