Summer Loving: How to Keep your Teeth Pristine

Whether you are escaping Christchurch and going on tour or staying put and enjoying all Canterbury has to offer, it’s important you remember that looking after your oral health and keeping your teeth pristine is a commitment you don’t get a holiday from.

Over the summer, we see increased numbers of patients in our Christchurch dental clinics with similar types of seasonal dental care requirements. Here is the top 5 ways to avoid coming to visit Duxton Dental over the holidays:

1. Use your hands rather than your teeth

Please. Your teeth are not tools and should not be used to open wrappers, bottles or bags. Yes, it’s convenient to use your teeth, but the damage you can cause to teeth can be significant. Chipped teeth or a broken tooth needs dental care as soon as you can get to our Riccarton dental clinic. Remember, your teeth are simply for chewing food!

2. Use a mouthguard for outdoor sports

Looking after your teeth should be a priority when playing sports outside – especially contact sports. There is a reason why professional athletes use mouthguards – it’s because the damage caused can be serious and costly! Whether you are playing frisbee or cricket, you need to protect your teeth from damage. You can wear a mouthguard even if you have Invisalign braces, ask your dentist for information.

3. Everything in moderation

The holiday season is a break from the norm, and indulgence becomes temporarily acceptable. However, overindulging with fizzy drinks, alcohol, sweets, and chocolate is a one-way ticket to teeth damage. Sugar allows the harmful bacteria in your mouth to thrive, so it’s important you brush your teeth after you’ve had your fill. Also, try to eat sweets in one or two sittings rather than grazing all day.

4. Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth

Summer is the season for ice-cold treats to reveal sensitive teeth. Sensitive teeth can feel incredibly painful, so it’s important to get any tooth pain checked out by a dentist to confirm the cause. Once the dentist has confirmed your treatment plan for sensitive teeth, use the special toothpaste for sensitive teeth, it really is useful to limit the pain.

5. Protect your lips with spf

Your lips are an important part of your mouth’s anatomy and play a key role in maintaining oral health, and they are often overlooked. Your lips have very thin skin and are prone to burn which can lead to some types of cancer. Always use a product with 30 spf or above to protect your lips and reapply regularly.

At Duxton Dental we are always pleased to see our patients, many of whom have been with us for years. However, when we see patients beyond their regular check-ups, it’s because there is something amiss with their teeth or oral health. Follow the advice above, to keep away from our dental clinics over summer. If you do need to seek dental care, please contact us here or call 03 348 5488 to arrange an appointment.

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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Straight talk: how Invisalign aligns more than just your teeth

By Briar Crammock-Sands • March 30, 2025

Tired of your crooked teeth? Desperate to be able to smile with confidence? When it comes to straightening your teeth, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the aesthetic impact of cosmetic dental treatment . And with good reason: orthodontic braces can transform even the most challenging set of teeth into a Hollywood-worthy smile. With dental care innovations skyrocketing over the past decade, Invisalign is the comparatively new kid on the orthodontic block – delivering the same results as traditional braces but with near invisibility, supreme convenience and incomparable comfort. But Invisalign offers much more than just a cosmetic dentistry upgrade and welcome boost to your self-esteem and confidence. As one of the leading options for teeth alignment, Invisalign transforms not only the appearance of your teeth but also improves your overall dental health. Whether you’re looking for a discreet solution for teeth straightening or seeking better dental care, Invisalign treatment provides several benefits that go beyond aesthetics. At Duxton Dental clinic in Christchurch, quality Invisalign treatment is tailored to your individual and unique needs to give you that perfect smile but also the health benefits of Invisalign: Improved oral hygiene and health A major benefit of Invisalign treatment is its ability to enhance your oral hygiene routine. The wires and brackets of traditional orthodontic braces can make brushing and flossing a challenging task, which can result in poor oral hygiene during the teeth straightening process. However, with Invisalign, the removable aligners allow you to brush and floss your teeth without any obstructions. During the Invisalign process, you’ll notice how straighter teeth make it easier to clean your entire mouth thoroughly. This ease of cleaning maintains overall dental health by ensuring plaque and food particles don’t get trapped around teeth, decreasing the risk of cavities and gum disease and promoting healthier gums and teeth.