On Thursday, our staff and our patients alike will be celebrating with their friends and families, sitting down for a wonderful meal. While we all love a Thanksgiving feast, we’re also aware that many of the holiday favorites can be harmful to the smile. Fortunately, we have a few tips to help keep smiles healthy during Thanksgiving.
Five Steps for Healthier Smiles During Thanksgiving
- Drink Water: Try to substitute water for a soda or a glass of sweet tea. Water contains no sugars or acids and can help cleanse food particles from your smile. A great way to help your smile stay healthy during a particularly starchy or sugary meal.
- Avoid Starchy/Sugary Foods: Pies, cakes, and cookies obviously contain high amounts of sugar. But also know that mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing can contain a lot or starch, another food particle that bacteria loves to break down (and cause decay in the process).
- Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: If you do enjoy your starchy Thanksgiving foods, then be sure to eat some vegetables and fruit. Carrots, broccoli, and apples are examples of rougher fruits and vegetables that can actually help cleanse your smile as you eat them, wearing away plaque that has formed on your teeth.
- Floss After Your Meal: A lot of holiday food, especially turkey, can become stuck in your teeth. Bring a small container of floss with you and after your meal, you can excuse yourself and floss thoroughly, removing the bits of food stuck between your teeth.
If you have any questions about staying cavity-free over the holidays, then please contact our office today. You can also schedule a post-holiday checkup and cleaning.