Many Americans are looking forward to whipping up a delicious family meal this Thanksgiving Day. Whether you’re staying at home or heading over to a family member’s place, you are in for quite a treat. However, this holiday certainly isn’t the greatest for your smile. Fortunately, your dentist is here to help. Continue reading for some holiday oral health tips that can help you get through this delicious holiday without needing to spend additional time in the dental chair afterwards.
Bring Some Floss
It doesn’t matter if you’re staying home or going to a close friend or family member’s house. You should have some dental floss with you. For many families, Thanksgiving is a daylong event with many different courses. You start out with appetizers, move on to main dishes, and finish with a slice or two of your favorite pies. In order to help you remove plaque and food debris between courses, take some time to floss.
Save Room for Protein
Your entire Thanksgiving meal isn’t bad for your teeth. However, starchier dishes are. Go easy on the dinner rolls, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Instead, save a large portion of your plate for turkey. It contains phosphorus and protein, both of which are necessary for strong teeth and bones. Be sure to load up on vegetables as well.
Avoid Sticky Sweets
Some important staples for many people each Thanksgiving are cranberry sauce, gravy, and pecan pie. However, they are all terrible for your teeth. They can stick to your teeth and cause you to develop cavities. If Thanksgiving just won’t be the same without these dishes, remember to keep your portion sizes small and rinse your mouth out with water afterwards.
Cut Out the Wine
A lot of people like to enjoy a glass of wine with their meal. The problem is that wine is acidic. This causes it to stain your teeth and weaken your protective enamel, leaving you more vulnerable to cavities. Having a glass of water or milk with your meal is a better choice. If you want to enjoy an adult beverage with your dinner, try having a light beer or gin and tonic instead.
This Thanksgiving, you don’t need to give up all of your favorite foods. By being mindful and taking precautions when it comes to your oral health, you can come out of the holiday season with a strong, healthy smile.
About the Author
Dr. Megan McInnis earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry. Currently, she is a member of the American Dental Association and the Oregon Dental Association. For more information on maintaining optimal oral health or to schedule an appointment with Dr. McInnis in Portland, visit her website or call (503) 761-1414.