Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and you know what that means! Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and so, so much more! Although delicious, these foods aren’t always the healthiest or the best for your teeth. We’re not saying you have to compromise your entire Thanksgiving dinner, but there are some changes you can make to the menu to help promote oral health and keep the whole family smiling! Check out our tips for a Thanksgiving that’s delicious and healthy for your mouth!
Extra Cheese
Add some cheese cubes to the hors d’oeuvres! Cheese has some great benefits for your teeth, including the fact that it’s full of calcium and casein. Calcium helps keep teeth strong, while casein helps fortify the surface of your teeth and fight cavities. Nuts are also a good source of calcium, so consider throwing them into the mix!
Open Sesame
Sesame oil can help fight plaque and even helps reverse gingivitis. Replace your usual cooking oil with sesame oil to reap some of the benefits! Sesame seeds can be added to many dishes as well. Sesame seeds go well with a lot and are great for your oral health.
Skip The Sugar
Sugary foods are terrible for teeth. Do your mouth a favor and skip the sugary foods! Pumpkin pie, jellied cranberry sauce, and sweet potato casserole (with marshmallow topping) are all loaded with sugar. Try replacing these with some options that your teeth will thank you for. If you must eat these foods, make sure you brush immediately after your meal. The longer sugar stays on your teeth, the more damage it does, so make sure to get a toothbrush in your mouth ASAP!
Wet Your Whistle with Water
Replace sugary beverages like soda and juice with water this Thanksgiving. Water is not only healthier, it is helpful in cleaning out leftover food particles from your mouth after your meal! Don’t undo all the good work you’ve done with a healthy meal by drinking something sugary or something that will stain your teeth—pick water.
No matter what you end up having for dinner on Thanksgiving day, make sure to supplement it with healthy dental habits like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash! Last but not least, make sure if you haven’t done so twice this year, visit your dentist!