There’s so much to love about Thanksgiving dinner. Whether your favorite is the cranberries, the pumpkin pie or the main event – the turkey – brush up on some holiday do’s and don’ts as you get ready to enjoy your feast!
Turkey
It’s the star of the day! Packed with protein, the only thing this bird will do to your teeth is possibly getting stuck in them so having floss on hand after dinner isn’t a bad idea.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
These standards don’t get as much glory as our friend the turkey but no Thanksgiving meal is complete without mashed potatoes and gravy. Potatoes are packed with vitamin C, B6 and potassium. But they also are starchy. Cavity-causing bacteria loves the sugar starch is made of so it’s good to keep in mind when going back for seconds, brushing your teeth afterward is a good idea.
Cranberry Sauce
It seems like there are two camps when it comes to cranberries – the jellied sauce and the whole fruit fans. No matter what your favorite, this tart berry treat can be sticky, acidic and staining so it’s best that this is eaten with the whole meal to help mellow its acidic nature an avoid it getting stuck in teeth.
Cheese, Raw Vegetables, and Nut Appetizers
Cheese is packed with strength-building calcium, veggies are a crisp source of vitamins and nuts contain calcium and minerals that support and remineralize teeth. Plus, chewy hard and crunchy vegetables and nuts produce extra saliva which fights germs and prevents decay by washing away bacteria.
Yams
Yams pack a powerful one-two punch with vitamins A and C, which are great for supporting healthy gums. Add marshmallows for candied yams and you start to get some sticky goodness that will stick around on your teeth after your plate is clear. It’s a good idea to drink water after enjoying this one to help wash away any sticky residue.
Green Bean Casserole
A tradition in many families, green bean casserole is often packed with healthy mushrooms and onions. This side dish favorite is a healthy addition to your meal, just keep the floss handy in case those beans get stuck in your teeth.
Macaroni and Cheese
The calcium found in cheese and milk is great for building strong teeth but remember, starchy pastas and ooey, gooey cheese can linger on teeth so remember to brush well after enjoying this comfort food.
Pumpkin Pie
What Thanksgiving meal is complete without pumpkin pie! Pumpkin is a healthy source of Vitamin A which is great for healthy gums and enamel. The sugar added is not, however. Add ice cream and whipped cream and you’ll be in dessert heaven. Eating an after-dinner dessert gets saliva flowing which helps wash away leftover food so enjoy this seasonal treat and just remember to brush afterward.
So enjoy your Thanksgiving meal and remember to brush after dinner… and after seconds… and after your extra dessert. No matter what you have for your holiday dinner, we hope you enjoy relaxing times with family and friends.
Our office will be closing on Wednesday, November 22nd at 4:30 p.m. so we can enjoy the holiday weekend. We will be closed the remainder of the week and will return on Monday, November 27th with our regular hours. Happy Thanksgiving!!
