New research has confirmed that concealing coins within Christmas puddings is hazardous to teeth and can also pose a fatal choking risk.1

Researchers at the University of Waterlooville, Harbour Dental School, served 40 Christmas puddings each containing one silver coin to 320 students in the university canteen. Ten of the silver coins were 50 pence pieces; ten were 20 pences; ten 10 pences; and ten 5 pences.

Credit: ©James Richards

Of the 40 hidden coins, 23 caused dental trauma (58%), four were swallowed and one caused a choking incident that was resolved with a Heimlich manoeuvre. The smaller hidden coins tended to cause the worst injuries, as they were more likely to be bitten into, whereas the 50 pence in particular was quickly detected in the mouth or was seen in the dish of the consumer, peeping out of the custard.

Of the 23 dental traumas, nine were chipped incisors; five were broken fillings (three composite, two amalgam); four were chipped molars; two were broken crowns; one broken bridge; one got trapped under a mature student's partial denture causing damage when she continued to chew; and one got caught up in a drama student's fixed brace.

Lead researcher Dr Pamela Uddin said: 'Secreting currency within Christmas desserts is an age-old tradition, but one that dentists can do without. We hope to spread the word on the risk of baking coins in puddings to take some of the pressure off our colleagues come January.

'If you must add a coin to your pudding, then choose the 50 pence for its visibility and detectability in the oral cavity.'

The students who took part in the study were compensated for their dental injuries with an unlimited supply of glühwein in the canteen and free dental treatment from Harbour Dental School's first year students.

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