It’s easy to be excited about the holidays! And there are plenty of reasons to be looking forward to Thanksgiving, especially if you’re a fan of good food! And although you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy all of your favorite foods and drinks, 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 Fairfax to help make your Thanksgiving a little more tooth-friendly!
1. Monitor Your Sugar Intake
A lot of foods can attack your 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 very 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 Mindful of Hard or Sharp Foods
You don’t need to just worry about sugary and starchy options; some foods can potentially injury your teeth and gums. Items 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. Be careful around pre-meal snack options like chips, nuts, hard candies, popcorn, and other treats.
3. Avoid Non-Stop Snacking
In addition to monitoring the type of food you’re eating during Thanksgiving, you should also consider the amount of food that you’re consuming. 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.
4. Watch What You Drink
If you enjoy a glass of wine or warm mug of cider or hot cocoa 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.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your pearly whites look and feel their best so that you can focus on enjoying all of your favorite Thanksgiving festivities! Of course, it never hurts to schedule one of your preventive visits with your dentist in Fairfax around this time of year, either.
About the Practice
The team at MJM Family & Cosmetic Dentistry has proudly served patients and families in the Fairfax, VA area for several years. The practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. If you have any questions about what you can do to protect your smile this Thanksgiving, or you’d like to arrange a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (703) 934-5540.
