Are you ready for Thanksgiving? While your holiday season may look somewhat different this year, it’s still a great time to honor family traditions and eat lots of delicious foods! As you consider everything you’re grateful for and enjoy your turkey dinner, don’t forget to take some time to appreciate your pearly whites! After all, your teeth help you talk up a storm with your friends and family, eat all your favorite festive foods, and smile confidently during the holidays. Read on as your Lawrenceville dentist shares five ways you can appreciate your teeth and improve your oral health this Thanksgiving!
1.) Enjoy Plenty of Smile-Friendly Foods
A healthier smile could be just a few delicious snacks away! Many Thanksgiving foods are great for your oral health, including:
- Turkey: The main dish of your holiday meal as well as other lean proteins are soft, low in sugar, and full on vitamin D, which helps keep your teeth strong and free of cavities.
- Green bean casserole: Soft vegetables like green beans and corn are full of nutrients and vitamins that promote healthier gums and reduce tooth decay.
- Macaroni and cheese: Non-fat and low-fat dairy products have plenty of calcium that encourages stronger teeth and jawbone. Just don’t eat too much starchy pasta!
2.) Wash Down Your Meals with Water
Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water as you enjoy your seasonal snacks and holiday meals. Not only is staying hydrated important for your health, but drinking water regularly will wash lingering, cavity-causing particles off your teeth.
3.) Watch Out for Sweets and Starches
There are plenty of foods you should try to avoid or limit during the holidays if you want to close out the year without a mouth full of cavities, such as:
- Sticky sweets: Sweet potatoes with marshmallows, candied yams, and pecan pie leave sticky, sugary residue on your teeth that’s difficult to clean off.
- Starchy sides: Side dishes that are full of starch, like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and dinner rolls, fuel cavity-causing bacteria just as quickly as sugar does.
4.) Save Snacking for Mealtimes
For many families, Thanksgiving and other fall or winter holidays are all-day events. However, the more often you eat snacks and appetizers throughout the day, the higher your risk of developing cavities. Keep tooth decay at bay by saving your snacking for mealtimes.
5.) Pick Smart Sweets for Your Smile
While no sugary holiday treats are necessarily healthy for your teeth, there are some that are better for your smile than others. When choosing which ones to indulge in, opt for options like:
- Pumpkin pie: This fall-flavored dessert has plenty of vitamin C and calcium, which are good for your teeth.
- Soft cookies: Instead of eating crunchy gingerbread cookies or peanut brittle that can weaken your enamel, choose softer cookies.
- Smooth cheesecake: Cheesecake varieties without hard nuts or sticky caramels can be a great sweet treat that you can enjoy safely.
There are plenty of things to smile about during this special time of year. Use these simple but effective tips to appreciate your teeth this holiday season!
About the Author
Since 1985, Dr. Bruce E. Carter of Transforming Smiles has developed an excellent reputation for his dedication to dentistry. He has completed over 1,600 hours of continuing education and maintains active memberships in several prestigious organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry and the International Dental Implant Association. This way, he stays current with all the latest advancements in technology and can provide the most effective and comfortable treatments for his patients. For more tips for caring for your oral health this holiday season, he can be contacted via his website or at (770) 995-7616.