Thanksgiving dental tips

In addition to thinking about what we are thankful for, let’s face it, Thanksgiving is mostly about the food! Although we should all get to enjoy delicious food, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that your teeth remain healthy after your celebration.  

One great tip that will help you out on Thanksgiving is to remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It is very easy to focus just on eating all day, but in doing so, not only will you eat more than you should, but you are also not allowing your teeth to have a break and a chance to get clean. Drinking water throughout the day helps to wash away any food that is left in your teeth, and it also will fill your stomach, which will work to prevent you from overeating and getting a stomach ache. This will also ensure that your body stays hydrated and when you are hydrated, it helps to keep a healthy amount of saliva in your mouth.  

Since most of us will be enjoying our Thanksgiving in the comfort of our own home this year, this allows us a chance to brush and floss our teeth more. Although the general rule is to brush your teeth twice a day, on Thanksgiving, you may want to brush your teeth three times. The less time that food particles spend in your mouth, the healthier you can keep your mouth.  

Another thing to consider is the food and drink items that you are consuming that can cause your teeth to get stained. Red wine, cranberries and some kinds of pie can all cause your teeth to get discolored. If you do consume any of these items, it is a good idea to drink some water afterwards, to rinse out your mouth.  

Thanksgiving is also filled with a lot of starchy foods, and although they are incredibly delicious, when they are left in your mouth, it can cause a build up of bacteria. Like with the other kinds of food that you are enjoying, you want to make sure you wash down starchy foods with water, and after you are finished enjoying your meal, you will want to brush and floss your teeth.  

On the flip side, there are some foods that are at Thanksgiving that are really good for you. For example, turkey is high in phosphorus, and phosphorus helps with your tooth development. Fresh cranberries have also been found to be good at reducing damage that harmful bacteria have caused in your mouth. Keep in mind that fresh cranberries are definitely better for you than canned cranberries. Fresh vegetables are also high in many different vitamins, so make sure to take helpings of those. Finally, pumpkin pie is high in vitamin C, and this helps to keep your gums healthy and keep your enamel strong.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving this year and make sure you spend some time focusing on the wonderful blessings you have in your life.