It’s hard to not be excited about the holidays! With Thanksgiving right around the corner and Christmas following closely behind, there are several ways to celebrate this season—including enjoying all of your favorite foods and drinks. Though you’ll have plenty of opportunities to eat, you’ll also be at an increased risk of oral health issues if you aren’t careful. That said, here are some useful tips from your dentist in Garland to help make your Thanksgiving a little more tooth-friendly!
1. Minimize Your Sugar Intake
A lot of sugar in foods can attack your tooth enamel and create extra plaque that contributes to dental problems, and unfortunately, many traditional Thanksgiving options like sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and more are all sugar-filled. Even starchy options like mashed potatoes and stuffing can create harmful plaque! If you can cut down the sugar content in your Thanksgiving meal, or at the very least clean your mouth throughout the day, your oral health will benefit.
2. Be Cautious of Hard or Sharp Foods
Sugary and starchy foods aren’t all you need to worry about. Foods that break down into hard or sharp pieces can stab your gums, get stuck between teeth, and even become lodged in dentures, braces, or other oral devices. Pre-meal snack options like chips, nuts, hard candies, popcorn, and other treats are usually the most problematic items.
3. Avoid Continuous Snacking
It’s not just the type of food that you eat during thanksgiving, but also the amount of food that’s consumed. When you eat extra food consistently throughout the day, you’re continuously exposing your teeth and gums to plaque that’s almost certain to lead to dental problems. You should try to stick to designated eating times instead of grazing, and of course, be sure to brush after dinner.
4. Be Picky About Your Beverages
Beverages can be just as sugary or acidic—and therefore just as problematic—as certain foods! If you enjoy a glass of wine or warm mug of cider with your meal, you’ll be adding extra acid to your mouth that can break down your enamel. Other drinks can pose problems as well, especially alcohol that includes added sugar, since it dries up the saliva that naturally cleans your mouth. Think about drinking water with your meal; it’s the absolute best beverage for your oral health.
Your oral health matters year-round, and unfortunately, it’s sometimes easy to neglect your smile during the holidays! By following these tips, you can ensure that your pearly whites look and feel their best so that you can focus on enjoying yourself.
About the Practice
La Prada Family Dentistry of Garland proudly serves the dental needs of the area under the leadership of Dr. Zach Kingsberg and Dr. Sara Fallahi. Their practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. If you have any questions about the article or would like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one this holiday season, please contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (214) 473-5696.
