I’m a dentist – two ‘harmless’ festive drinks could be wrecking your teeth

Published 2 hours ago
Source: metro.co.uk
Christmas is a time of over-indulgence. From one too many pigs in blankets to copious bottles of Baileys, there’s always an excuse to eat and drink to excess. And don’t get us wrong, while we love having a packed-out social calendar where we can devour said festive treats, we also need to remember to take care of ourselves physically. This includes our oral health, too. (Picture: Getty Images)
Metro spoke with Dr Mohammad Ali, dentist and founder of Emerdency, to unpack some of the worst Christmas culprits that have more serious health consequences than you’d think. Dr Ali explains: ‘As people get into the Christmas spirit with festive coffees and hot chocolates, these drinks can be far more harmful than most realise. Their combination of sugar, acidity, and long sipping times creates the perfect environment for enamel damage.’ (Picture: Supplied)
The sugar intake in festive coffees is enough to begin softening enamel within minutes of contact, according to the expert, and repeated sipping over an evening increases the risk of erosion over time. Dr Ali reveals that many festive drinks also contain sugar levels that exceed those found in some desserts, making them particularly problematic when consumed frequently and over long periods. (Picture: Getty Images)
But it doesn’t end there. Not only can these ‘harmless’ drinks hurt your teeth and gums, but they can also contribute to wider health concerns if enjoyed more regularly. Here, Dr Ali unpacks the worst festive beverage contenders and shares the potential health issues behind them. Remember, no one is telling you to cut out these treats completely. Life would be pretty boring, otherwise. Like anything, it’s all about enjoying in moderation.

So, what are the two Christmas drinks the expert wants you to be aware of? (Picture: Getty Images)

Festive coffees

‘Although festive coffees feel comforting, nutritionally, they are closer to having a pudding,’ says Dr Ali. He states that many large festive coffees from high street chains contain between 40 and 55 grams of sugar, which is about 11 teaspoons. Even more shocking, he says that some have more calories than a McDonald’s cheeseburger. Dr Ali adds: ‘Because they are sipped slowly while hot, the sugary syrups coat the teeth and remain for much longer than cold drinks. This raises the risk of cavities and enamel erosion.’ Finally, the sudden rise in sugar intake can also trigger rapid blood glucose spikes, placing strain on the body and increasing inflammation. (Picture: Getty Images)

Hot chocolate and cream-topped drinks

Hot chocolate is very popular with children (and adults, who are we kidding?) and is often seen as a small festive treat. Many versions include cream, marshmallows or chocolate sauce, ‘all of which contain high sugar levels and have a sticky texture that clings to enamel,’ says Dr Ali. Because hot chocolates are strongly linked with Christmas, children often become more interested in them and will likely want to drink them daily through December. However, this gives mouth bacteria ‘a steady supply of sugar’, allowing them to ‘produce decay-causing acids throughout the day.’ Dr Ali reveals that sticky residues from cream and marshmallows can remain on the teeth for much longer than standard sweets, ‘increasing the risk of gum inflammation, faster decay, energy crashes and weight gain.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

The health issues behind these drinks

‘Many people do not realise that during the festive season, they often at least double their usual daily sugar intake,’ shares Dr Ali, who stresses that it’s ‘not recommended.’ Consuming so much sugar during a short space of time can set off a chain reaction of health problems — not just immediate dental effects. (Picture: Getty Images)

The health issues behind these drinks

• Poor sleep quality: Dr Ali says that festive coffees can contain more caffeine than standard lattes, especially in larger sizes. This can raise cortisol levels, making it harder to fall asleep, causing night waking, and leading to next-day exhaustion.
• Weakened immune system: ‘Large sugar intakes can temporarily blunt some white blood cell activity for several hours,’ Dr Ali warns. Over time, high blood sugar is known to weaken the immune system, especially in people with or at risk of diabetes.
• Increased diabetes risk: According to Dr Ali, the daily mix of hot chocolate and sugary coffees can cause repeated blood sugar spikes. Not a major scare if you sink the odd bev, but if they become a consistent addition to your diet, they can contribute to weight gain around the abdomen, insulin resistance, fatigue and mood changes.
• Cardiovascular strain: Dr Ali explains that sugary sweet drinks can work together to raise cholesterol and increase inflammation. This can place ‘added pressure on the heart and cardiovascular system’ at a time of year when people are less active and often eating richer foods.

The take-home for all of the above? One hot chocolate isn’t going to harm you, and enjoying Christmas won’t give you diabetes. Again, the word ‘moderation’ is key.

(Picture: Getty Images)

A dentist’s advice for a safer and healthier Christmas drinking season

The one thing Dr Ali wants you to remember more than anything? Understanding the risks behind festive drinks makes it easier to make informed choices. The ultimate goal is to then limit harm to your teeth and general health. He recommends… (Picture: Getty Images)

A dentist’s advice for a safer and healthier Christmas drinking season

• Avoid slow sipping
• Aim to finish your drink within 20 to 30 minutes to reduce the length of acid attacks
• Use a straw for acidic beverages, as this can reduce direct contact with the teeth
• Rinse with water afterwards
• Avoid brushing straight after acidic drinks, as enamel remains soft for around 30 minutes
• Make simple swaps
• Choose options with no added sugar, request half syrup in festive coffees and try darker hot chocolate versions
• Treat festive drinks like desserts
• Limit coffees, hot chocolates and other sugary festive drinks to once a day to protect teeth and keep blood sugar levels stable

(Picture: Getty Images)

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