Among the food-heavy holidays, Thanksgiving isn’t exactly known for keeping your grin strong and stable. Many of the day’s dishes can actually harm your smile when eaten in excess. That said, it’s possible to make Thanksgiving tooth-friendly if you adopt the right tricks. Your Rapid City dentist will even outline these practices, providing you with the proper proof. Just keep reading to learn four ways Thanksgiving can preserve your grin’s health.
Go Easy on Sugar
First and foremost, you should try to avoid foods with sugar and starches. These dishes will only harm your Thanksgiving smile.
Note that sugar, starch, and similar carbs cause severe cavities. If you have too many of them, they erode your enamel until your teeth become weak and fragile. You should thus try to refrain from pumpkin pie, marshmallow casseroles, and cornbread at this year’s Turkey Day.
Avoid Hard & Sharp Foods
Hard and sharp foods can be tempting on Thanksgiving, but you shouldn’t have them unless necessary. Such meals could damage your smile over time.
It comes down to the texture of these foodstuffs. Often enough, their surfaces cause them to stab your gums, get stuck between teeth, and so on. You should thus avoid items like popcorn, chips, and peanuts during your Thanksgiving snacking. Otherwise, your holiday will just lead to long-term dental issues.
Restrict Your Wine & Juice Intake
Red wine and juice are Thanksgiving traditions, but you should still try cutting back on them. These beverages wouldn’t do your smile much good.
Even at their mildest, wine and juice tend to harm oral health. Their acids can easily erode tooth enamel, and the former’s alcohol content dries your saliva. Such effects put even the healthiest people at greater risk of cavities, gum disease, and worse.
Fill Up on Colorful Veggies
Of course, you can protect your smile while still eating nice Thanksgiving food. Just fill up on colorful veggies as substitutes for the tooth-rotting stuff.
Don’t forget: vegetables have vitamins and minerals that benefit your smile. For example, red and orange kinds are usually high in vitamin C – a nutrient that strengthens gums. Leafy greens are similarly good sources of calcium, which bolsters your tooth enamel.
If you’re curious, you can always learn other ways to make Thanksgiving tooth-friendly. Just consult your dental provider for the relevant tips!
About the Practice
Anderson Dental is based in Rapid City, SD. Led by Drs. Anderson and McCullough, our practice is ever excited and eager to help your grin thrive. We thus offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental work, all tailored to your smile’s specific needs. Our team also treats emergency oral issues on short notice, ensuring your mouth remains safe. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (605)-721-1219.