The Christmas holidays may be a time for everyone to take a rest, but for plenty of dentists and pharmacists, it could be the time to put an order in for new dental care products.

For all that the festive season means lots of great food and drink for many, that will take its toll and while many people will make New Year resolutions to do something about their waistlines, the consequences may be felt elsewhere.

All that sugary food and sweets could be especially bad for teeth, not least for children, who will be among those indulging the most in sweet treats.

However, some may be surprised at what the worst foods and condiments are for oral health. Sweets and cakes and sugary traditional fare like mince pies are obvious threats, but dried fruit, despite being seen as a healthier snack option, can actually be just as bad as they are high in sugar as well.

Alcohol is also bad for teeth as many of them are high in sugar and can also be acidic, wearing down the enamel.

Even non-sugary food like crisps can cause a problem, as they break down any sugars that are present in your mouth (like that mince pie or chocolate you had 15 minutes earlier) and so help build up plaque.

Even the traditional roast Christmas dinner will have its downsides. Your teeth might be fine with the turkey and potatoes, but the traditional cranberry sauce is another matter.

Cranberries are a mixed blessing. On the one hand, they do contain antioxidants that help fight off infection and, very specifically, nutrients to stop bacteria from binding and reducing sugars in the mouth. Unfortunately, they can also stain teeth and the benefits of their sugar-reducing properties can be cancelled out by the artificial addition of extra sugar.

Christmas may come just once a year, but it can be a troubling time for teeth. Perhaps it would be a good idea if, from next year onwards,  folk start leaving toothpaste and toothbrushes out for Father Christmas along with the mince pie and sherry.