By Dr Elizabeth Crake
For a fortnight each summer, our corner of SW19 becomes the centre of the sporting world. Whether you're queuing on the Common at dawn, hosting friends for the finals, or soaking up the atmosphere from a Village pub, The Championships are a wonderful celebration, and, quietly, a fortnight of strawberries, cream, Pimm's and fizz that your teeth feel every bit as much as you do. Here's how to enjoy every set without paying for it later.
Why Wimbledon fortnight is tougher on teeth than you'd think
The classic Wimbledon spread reads like a checklist of things dentists gently warn about. Strawberries are naturally acidic; the sugar sprinkled over them, and the sweetness in cream teas, ice creams and pastries, feeds the bacteria that produce decay. Pimm's, prosecco and other sparkling drinks combine sugar with a low pH, which temporarily softens enamel. None of this is a problem in moderation. The trouble is the pattern of Championship-watching: grazing and sipping across a long, sunny afternoon, so teeth are bathed in acid and sugar for hours with no chance to recover.
Every time you eat or drink something acidic, enamel softens slightly and then re-hardens over the following hour, helped by your saliva. Constant top-ups never let that recovery happen, which is why the Oral Health Foundation stresses that the frequency of sugary, acidic treats matters more than the total amount.
The Wimbledon treats table
Most of the fortnight's favourites are perfectly fine to enjoy, it's how and when that counts.
| Wimbledon treat | Dental impact | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberries & cream | Acidic fruit plus added sugar; cream is more tooth-friendly | Enjoy in one sitting, then rinse with water |
| Pimm's | Sugary and acidic; fruit garnish prolongs contact | Alternate with plain water; don't sip all afternoon |
| Prosecco & fizz | Low pH softens enamel; bubbles add acidity | Use a glass not a straw-swish; finish, don't nurse |
| Ice cream & lollies | High sugar; cold can trigger sensitivity | Have with a meal rather than as a standalone graze |
| Fizzy & sports drinks | Among the most erosive everyday drinks | Swap for water; sip through a straw if you must |
| Cream teas & pastries | Sticky, sugary, cling to teeth | Follow with water; wait an hour before brushing |
Simple habits to protect your smile
You don't need to skip a single strawberry. A handful of easy habits keeps the damage to a minimum:
- Drink water alongside everything. It rinses away acid and sugar and keeps saliva flowing, your mouth's natural defence.
- Enjoy treats in one go, not all day. One bowl of strawberries beats nibbling for three hours; one glass of Pimm's beats sipping six.
- Wait about an hour before brushing after anything acidic. Brushing softened enamel straight away can wear it down, as the NHS advises.
- Chew sugar-free gum between treats to boost saliva and help neutralise acids.
- Stick to your routine, twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, morning and last thing at night, even on the busiest match days.
Smiling for the cameras
Wimbledon is also the most photographed fortnight of the year for many residents, garden parties, the Queue, the obligatory strawberries selfie. If you'd like your smile camera-ready, professional teeth whitening is the single most effective option, lifting years of coffee, tea and wine staining safely. Teeth whitening starts from £495 with a free consultation, but it needs a couple of weeks, so plan ahead of the first serve.
If you crack a tooth mid-match, you don't have to wait until the trophy's lifted. A hard strawberry stalk, an olive stone in a Pimm's, or an over-enthusiastic bite on an ice cube sends a steady trickle of fans our way every July. Our practice on the High Street is a short walk from the action, and we hold same-day emergency slots open throughout the fortnight, so you can be back in your seat, sorted, before the next changeover.
Get tournament-ready, or seen fast if something goes wrong
From a brighter smile before the first serve to same-day care if you crack a tooth, Dr Elizabeth Crake and the team at The Dental Lounges Wimbledon are minutes from Centre Court.
Book an appointment Explore teeth whiteningCracked a tooth? Same-day help is close by
A fortnight of crunchy stalks, stones and ice is prime time for a chipped or cracked tooth. If it happens, keep any fragment, rinse gently with warm water, and call us. Most chips can be repaired the same day with composite bonding or a crown, and our emergency dentist service keeps urgent appointments open every weekday. Here's what same-day emergency care costs at our practice:
| Appointment / treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Urgent advice over the phone | Free |
| New patient emergency appointment | £150 |
| Existing patient emergency appointment | £120 |
| Includes examination, X-rays & immediate pain relief | Included |
| Composite filling / chip repair | from £150 |
| Re-cement existing crown | prices on request |
Any treatment beyond the initial visit is quoted before it starts, never a surprise on the bill. See our full emergency dental page for details.
Keeping a healthy smile all summer
The Championships are only two weeks, but the habits that protect your teeth through them serve you all year. Twice-yearly check-ups and a hygienist visit catch the small things early and keep staining at bay, and our wider general dentistry team is here whenever you need us. Enjoy the strawberries, raise a glass to your favourite, and our team in Wimbledon Village will keep your smile match-ready.
Frequently asked questions
Strawberries are naturally acidic and the sugar often sprinkled on top feeds the bacteria that cause decay. Enjoyed in one sitting they're fine for most people, the problem is grazing on sweet, acidic treats across a whole afternoon. Eat them in one go, with the cream (which is less acidic), and rinse with water afterwards.
Pimm's, prosecco and fizzy drinks are both sugary and acidic, which softens enamel. Sip through a straw where you can, alternate each drink with plain water, and avoid swishing drinks around your mouth. Don't brush straight after, wait about an hour so softened enamel can re-harden first.
Cracked or chipped teeth are common on a hard strawberry stalk, an olive stone or a stray ice cube. Keep any fragment, rinse your mouth with warm water, and call us for a same-day emergency appointment on 020 3034 4044. We keep urgent slots open every weekday and can usually repair a chip with bonding or a crown the same day.
