Tips For a Teeth-Friendly Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an American holiday celebrated in November. It is a day of celebration, family, and delicious traditional Thanksgiving food. However, Thanksgiving is also a day of poor oral health, with many people consuming foods that are bad for teeth and gums.

Here are some tips to keep teeth healthy:

Start Early

It’s important to start a healthy oral care routine well before the holidays arrive. This way, any issues you have can be addressed prior to your celebrations. Consider reaching out to your dentist in The Woodlands 77380 for preventive dental care. With regular cleanings and exams, you can ensure your smile is healthy enough for all the feasting and snacking ahead.

Preventive care is important all year long. 

In addition to providing comprehensive dental care, our dentist in Conroe 77318 is also happy to offer cosmetic services to help your smile look its best. Schedule your visit now!

Choose Healthy Snacks

Having a snack or two throughout the day is a healthy habit, but eating too many sugary treats can be damaging to your teeth in Spring 77373. It’s recommended that you only eat two snacks that contain less than three grams of sugar each. Try to find snacks that are low in sugar and high in protein and vitamins instead. Here are some ideas:

• Cheese cubes with apples or pears
• Greek Yogurt with fresh berries
• Plain popcorn without butter flavoring
• Apple slices dipped in peanut butter
• Celery sticks with hummus
• Hard-boiled egg
• Sliced veggies with low-fat dip
• Small piece of dark chocolate
• Dried fruit
• Smoothie made with nonfat yogurt, fresh or frozen fruits, and a pinch of cinnamon

If you are planning on having dessert after dinner in Spring 77383, have a piece of cheese, a few nuts, or a serving of fresh fruit beforehand so that you aren’t as tempted to indulge in more sweet treats. If you still want to have some pie or another sweet dish, brush your teeth afterward and have a glass of water to help rinse away the sugar from your mouth.

You should also avoid snacking on foods that are high in acid and sugar, such as sodas, coffee, fruit juices with added sugar, and vinegar-based pickles. These can damage the enamel of your teeth and lead to cavities.

Avoid Sticky Foods

Sticky foods like mashed potatoes and candied yams can be hard for teeth to chew. Try to avoid these foods whenever possible, especially right before you lie down to go to sleep for the night. That way, your teeth have all night to recover!

While you’re enjoying dinner on Turkey Day, be sure you’re not chewing on ice or hard candies. These are also bad for the teeth in Magnolia 77354  because they cause a lot of wear and tear on the enamel.

Rinse with Water after Eating

Although many of us look forward to Thanksgiving dinner, most tend to forget the risks that come along with eating this meal. While turkey and ham are very flavorful, the traditional side dishes are often loaded with starch and sugar. These foods in Magnolia 77355 can cause tooth decay if we’re not careful to brush afterward. That’s why it’s important to rinse your mouth with water after meals in order to remove any leftover food particles from your teeth. For best results in Montgomery County 77356, you should wait at least an hour before you brush your teeth so you won’t accidentally damage your enamel.

To know more about ways to keep teeth healthy provided by the Dentist in The Woodlands 77380, call us at (281) 419-2632.