You may be looking forward to your Thanksgiving dinner with your friends and family. You’ll be with your loved ones and enjoy their company while savoring delicious food. However, it’s important that you do your best to protect your smile and keep it bright while you indulge. Here are five easy tips to keep in mind that can make this holiday more tooth-friendly to keep your grin strong.
1.) Keep Healthy Snack Options Available
It’ll likely take a bit of time before dinner is ready, so you may snack on some things lying around. Instead of going for rolls or sweets, consider grabbing washed vegetables. Carrots, celery, and broccoli are some options you can have lying around. They offer a satisfying crunch that will help promote saliva production while being full of nutrients! Also, keep a set amount aside to avoid grazing, and so you don’t fill up too much before the main course.
2.) Rinse After Eating Staining Foods
As the day goes on, your loved ones may want to take plenty of photos. In order to keep your smile looking great, you should avoid eating too many staining foods. Cranberry sauce, red wine, and berries are some that can cause discoloration. Limit them or rinse with water after having them.
3.) Don’t Fill Your Plate with Starches
Once food is ready, you may be excited to fill up your plate. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and mac and cheese may be some options you stack up on, but try to limit them. These items are full of starches. They feed the bacteria in your mouth to produce an enamel-dissolving acid, increasing your risk of cavities.
4.) Avoid Overindulging in Sweets
After dinner, you might’ve saved room for dessert. They are a sweet way to end the day, but do your best not to eat too many of them. These treats are often full of sugar, which can leave you at a higher chance of decay. Hard options, like peanut brittle, can also damage your teeth. Be careful when eating them, and rinse your mouth to wash them down.
5.) Brush and Floss Before Calling It a Night
When you get your fill, you may be more than ready to head to bed. However, before lying underneath your blanket, just take a couple of minutes to do your oral hygiene routine. By getting out any food debris, plaque, and bacteria in your mouth, you’ll be able to avoid a myriad of dental problems. That way, your smile stays strong for the holidays and well into the new year.
About the Author
Dr. Devarshee Patel earned her dental degree from the Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), which is a distinction held by fewer than 6% of general dentists in both the U.S. and Canada!
This shows Dr. Patel’s commitment to give the Fort Worth community high-quality care, whether it’s preventive treatments or cosmetic ones, such as teeth whitening. If you want to have a bright smile this holiday season, schedule an appointment or call her office at (817) 367-9333.