5 Tips for Protecting Your Smile This Thanksgiving

When the time comes for the big Thanksgiving meal, it can be tempting to just eat whatever you want without restraint. However, if you want to protect your smile, then you need to be careful; a lot of the foods that are commonly served during Thanksgiving can potentially cause problems for your teeth. In order to maintain a healthy grin, be sure to follow these 5 tips from your preventive dentist at your Thanksgiving feast.

1. Stay Away From Sugar As Much As You Can

Who doesn’t love a delicious slice of pumpkin pie or a portion of marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole during Thanksgiving? Unfortunately, these treats tend to contain a lot of sugar, and as such they can significantly increase your risk for cavities.

It’s better for your smile to avoid sugary foods altogether if possible. If you decide to indulge in some sweets, however, make sure that you do so in very limited portions. You should also take a sip of water afterward to rinse away the sugar that might be lingering in your mouth.

2. Eat Less Starch

Starchy foods like cornbread and stuffing might not seem like they could cause problems for your smile. The truth, though, is that starch can contribute to tooth decay in much the same way that sugar can. As such, you should be aware of how many starchy foods you’re putting on your plate during Thanksgiving dinner.

3. Avoid Anything That Can Cause Tooth Stains

Cranberry sauce, red wine, and blueberry pie all have something in common: they can potentially leave stains on your teeth if you’re not careful. Limiting your exposure to such foods can go a long way toward helping you maintain a grin that you can continue to show off proudly to others.

4. Beware of Acidic Beverages

Not only can wine and cranberry juice cause dental stains, but they are also acidic. That means that they can weaken your enamel and leave it more susceptible to cavities. If you can’t avoid taking a sip of an acidic beverage, try to mitigate the effects by sipping on water. Additionally, be sure to wait at least half an hour to brush your teeth after you’ve consumed anything acidic.

5. Eat Plenty of Smile-Friendly Vegetables

When it comes to Thanksgiving foods that are actually beneficial for your teeth, you can’t go wrong loading your plate with vegetables. Lots of leafy green vegetables tend to be high in calcium, which is well-known for its ability to strengthen teeth. Meanwhile, red and orange vegetables contain vitamin C, which can promote the health of your gums.

About the Author

Dr. Jeramiah Paylor went to the University of Colorado for his dental degree. He deeply cares about helping his friends and neighbors improve their smiles. He’s currently bringing high-quality, comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages at West Arvada Family Dentistry. If you are interested in scheduling a pre- or post-Thanksgiving appointment with Dr. Paylor, visit his website or call his office in Arvada at (720) 776-4900.