Tooth Care Tips to Be Thankful for This Thanksgiving

When we think of Thanksgiving, it’s natural to conjure up images of food, feasting, a festive time with family and friends, and more food. And there’s nothing wrong with that. There are, however, foods often found among a Thanksgiving Day spread that may treat your teeth better than others. 

From scheduling and appetizers all the way down to desserts, here’s a look at Thanksgiving Day tooth care tips that can help you to enjoy this glorious November day:

Set & Stick to a Mealtime

On holidays like Thanksgiving, we tend to start grazing early & often. If food is in front of us, we blindly eat and may quickly indulge beyond our limits because the “serve yourself” options just keep on coming. This constant grazing not only feeds us, but the bacteria in our mouths, too. One way to minimize grazing is to set and stick to a meal time so that you can manage your appetite and your body’s expectations. Another option is having a toothbrush handy and brushing your teeth 30 minutes after you finish eating to slow down snacking and keep tooth care top of mind.

Cheese, Please

That’s right, we’re giving you the green light to pepper your plate with cheese or any other dairy-related options available as you begin your Thanksgiving Day feed. Why? Dairy is rich in calcium, which helps to protect tooth enamel and maintain strength in both bones and teeth, an important element of tooth care.

Load Up on Veggies

Vegetables are always a good choice for many reasons. Often featured as garnishes or after thoughts in appetizers but generally a large focus when it comes to the meal itself, veggies are rich in fiber and contain vitamins and minerals that help to keep your teeth and gums not only healthy, but also strong.  

Drink Water, Too

We get it, it’s a holiday. You’re probably enjoying coffee (Irish or not!), wine, spirits and/or a beer, maybe more this year where there hasn’t been much to cheer about. But be mindful of your consumption, especially when it comes to coffee and red wine since these are acidic beverages that tend to stain the surfaces of your teeth. Make sure that you’re drinking water alongside these libations as well as during your meal so that you’re staying hydrated and cleaning food out of your mouth. Additionally, drinking plenty of water can curb your appetite and help you to prevent overeating while also preventing dry mouth, which can lead to bacteria buildup. 

Beware of Starchy Foods

Aside from the main event, the turkey itself, two of the more popular Thanksgiving side dishes are mashed potatoes and stuffing. As delicious as they are, they also have a secret power that you may not be aware of: they act similarly to sugary foods. Starches convert to sugars, which feed the bacteria in your mouth. It isn’t fair to say that dessert is the only cavity-causing culprit on Thanksgiving; starches also have the potential to cause tooth decay. 

Treat Your Sweet Tooth with Care

Disclaimer: your sweet tooth doesn’t just attract dessert items; it also enjoys foods like cranberry sauce, candied yams, cornbread and sweet potato casserole. We’re not telling you not to enjoy an edible nightcap like pecan or pumpkin pie, apple crisp or any chocolatey treat; we’re just suggesting that you limit yourself to the amount of sweet treats you consume. Your waistline and your teeth will thank you later.

We know that 2020 has been a very unusual and unprecedented year, but if you’re able to schedule a cleaning with your dentist between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we would recommend doing so. It’s the time of year that we eat more and eat more often, so make sure to maintain that healthy smile and to focus on tooth care as a top priority while you celebrate the season!