Halloween has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean your teeth are safe just yet. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, meaning you’ll soon have meals that could harm your pearly whites. If you aren’t careful, these Turkey-Day foods could cause some long-term health issues. That being the case, your Louisville dentist is here with some helpful advice. Read on to learn four holiday oral health tips to keep your smile safe during Thanksgiving.
Keep Some Dental Floss Handy
Among other things, Thanksgiving is a holiday jam-packed with eating. From lunch to dinner and the snacks in between, celebrants get to feast on many kinds of foods and drinks. Needless to say, then, the day will likely leave many ‘leftovers’ stuck between your teeth. Left untreated, these bits could cause plaque to build up on your enamel.
Given these facts, try to protect your teeth during Thanksgiving with dental floss. In particular, make it a habit to floss after each of your meals.
Be Mindful of Sticky Sweets
As tempting as they are, you should lay off the sticky Thanksgiving sweets. In other words, avoid or limit the pies, cakes, and other desserts you eat.
In truth, items like those above have high levels of sugar. Consequently, they can cling to teeth and erode your enamel for long periods. If that process goes far enough, it’s likely to cause tooth decay and cavities.
Drink Less Wine
Wine might be a traditional part of Thanksgiving, but you should still be wary of it. The drink is highly acidic, meaning it can wear down enamel when you sip it frequently. Furthermore, red wine has many tannins that could discolor your teeth, shading them with a darker hue.
You’re better off having less wine to keep such things from happening.
Eat Plenty of Protein & Vegetables
Instead of loading up on mom’s famous mashed potatoes, fill your plate with turkey and vegetables this Thanksgiving. As it turns out, they’ll do your teeth a lot of good.
You see, turkey and other meats have protein. This nutrient, in turn, contains phosphorus, a mineral that improves the strength of your pearly whites.
Similarly, many veggies are filled with “tooth-friendly” materials that boost oral health. For instance, sweet potatoes have vitamins A, C, and B6 — three vitamins notorious for strengthening teeth, reducing inflammation, and protecting gums.
As you can see, it’s crucial to protect your holiday oral health during Thanksgiving. Therefore, remember to practice this article’s tips.
About the Practice
Remmers Dental Group is based in Louisville, KY. As led by the titular Dr. Steven Remmers, our practice does everything possible to meet your dental needs. To that end, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency procedures. Our office can also provide TMJ therapy for those with jaw issues. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (502)-499-0234.
