A perfect white smile stands out beautifully in photos from your summer vacation. Tanned skin and sparkling teeth are an ideal combination. However, pay attention to our teeth even now, during the Christmas party season and the festive overeating, when punch, mulled red wine, cakes, coffee, and cigarettes influence the shade to a greater extent. We should also be alert to sensitivity to heat and during winter sports.

The word "rush" best captures the busy spirit of the holiday season. We scramble for gifts, try to please the nearest and dearest, and somehow manage all our work responsibilities. A little bit of reality-show and stress—plus the company parties. Punch, mulled wine, and hot grog are all there to keep the party going. Together, they sign not only on our mood, but also on the state of our teeth. And the main ingredient in these treats is sugar, which significantly increases the risk of tooth decay. "Bacteria that thrive in our mouths contribute to the formation of dental plaque and tartar. During the digestion of sugars, they produce a byproduct—acids—that wear down the tooth surface and subsequently form cavities," explains MUDr. Valéria Michnová from the ArtDentistic dental clinic in Bratislava.

The sweets and experiences from Christmas tables are also a threat to a healthy smile. "The important thing is to minimize the formation of acids. Even after eating Christmas punch, mulled wine, and after eating the sweets, it would be ideal to clean the tooth cavity. Immediately after, rinse with water; later, thorough home hygiene using interdental brushes, toothbrushes with paste, a tongue scraper, and mouthwash," says a renowned dentist. Ideally, the presence of plaque a paradise for bacteria  should also be limited by regular dental hygiene at six-month intervals. "This painless treatment will guarantee a clean and smooth tooth surface. That way, bacteria and acids have no chance," continues dentist Valeria Michnova.

Sugar and acids, however, are not the only threats to our teeth in winter months. Sensitivity to hot drinks also indicates a problem that we should not underestimate.

We should also be careful on slopes and at winter ski resorts. In a photo from a New Year's ski trip, none of us will look happily with a knocked-out or broken tooth. "After an injury, it is very important to stay calm. If we find a knocked-out tooth and it is not broken, there is a chance to save it. I recommend placing it in milk and urgently seeing a dentist. In this case, time is the first violin," says first aid doctor MUDr. Libor Michna, MSc., from the ArtDentistic dental clinic in Bratislava.

A dentist does not recommend underestimating tooth loss after an injury. The subsequent aesthetic defect is not the only problem. "I definitely recommend visiting the dentist. After a tooth injury, damage to the root or a fracture may also occur, which may not be visible to the naked eye. Neglecting these consequences can cause other dangerous diseases for the patient in the future," warns the dentist. If the tooth is significantly damaged or cannot be found, the solution to the problem may be a dental replacement. The patient may choose a conventional bridge, a removable partial denture, or a dental implant. "With the first alternative, there is a risk of turning neighboring teeth; with a bridge, the tooth on which the replacement is supported is affected, and at the same time both soft and hard tissue under the bridge is affected. From this point of view, an ideal solution is a dental implant," says MUDr. Libor Michna, MSc.