Turkey Day Tooth Care Tips
It’s hard to believe that 2024 is soon coming to a close… But before it does, we have some important celebratory holidays to enjoy! Thanksgiving essentially signifies the beginning of a series of holiday events and festivities that will usher us right into 2025. That being said, with access to a plethora of delicious food options, plentiful feasts, and mouthwatering spreads on the horizon, it can be difficult to make choices that aim to promote oral health. So we’ve done the hard work for you and we’re here to point out some foods often found among a Thanksgiving Day meal that may treat your teeth better than others while keeping your teeth healthy throughout the most festive time of year.
Let’s start with logistics and then dive into the deliciousness – here’s your look at Thanksgiving Day tooth care tips to keep in mind as we approach the holiday season:
Meal Time Management
On Thanksgiving, we tend to graze 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 act of passively eating 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; this will help to manage your appetite as well as your body’s expectations. Another option is to have a toothbrush & floss handy; flossing throughout the day is a great way to keep tooth care top of mind.
Cheese, Please
It may sound like a joke, but it’s not! Yes, we’re giving you the green light to pepper your plate with cheese or any other dairy-related options available in your Turkey Day spread. Why? It’s simple – 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.
Eat Your Veggies
The saying never gets old. Vegetables are always a good choice for many reasons. They are rich in fiber and contain vitamins and minerals that help to keep your teeth strong and promote healthy gums.
Hydrate Early & Often
We know that holidays are for fun and festive beverages. You probably indulge in coffee (Irish or not!), wine, spirits and/or beer, but be mindful of your consumption. This is particularly important 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.
Starchy Foods: Friend or Foe?
Two of the most 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. Gasp! 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.
Sweets in Moderation
This might be news to you, but 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 teeth will thank you later.
Our last piece of advice is 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 in larger quantities and in higher frequencies, so prioritize that healthy smile and tooth care while you celebrate the season!
