Tooth Tips For a Healthy Thanksgiving

A hearty Thanksgiving meal might be delicious, but how does it affect your pearly whites? We’ve created this guide to help you keep your teeth feeling fabulous during, and after, your Thanksgiving feast!

The staple of any traditional Thanksgiving meal is a savory and hearty turkey. The good news? It’s packed with protein which your teeth need to stay strong. The bad news? Little pieces of turkey easily can get stuck between your teeth and stay there for a while, which isn’t ideal for your breath.

Enjoy your turkey, it’s Thanksgiving after all! But after you’re finished eating, give your teeth a thorough flossing. This way, you’ll get rid of any extra turkey that may have snuck between your pearly whites.

This side dish is so delicious, it’s almost as important as the turkey! Fortunately, green bean casserole is loaded with veggies like green beans, mushrooms, and onions. On the downside, it tends to be fairly sticky and the beans can get stuck on or between your teeth.

Rinse your mouth out with water after enjoying your green bean casserole. Just like the turkey, make sure you floss thoroughly afterward to get rid of any extra beans that may be stuck in your mouth.

Bring on the yams! Sweet potatoes are fairly healthy, but they typically are served as candied yams for the Thanksgiving table. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins A and C, both of which are excellent for your gums. Unfortunately for your teeth, they’re loaded with sugar when they become candied yams. Some Thanksgiving recipes even call for mixing in marshmallows, which is a tooth’s worst nightmare.

It’s always okay to treat yourself, especially on Thanksgiving. If you’re enjoying some candied yams, just be sure to give your mouth a good rinse afterward. Water can wash away any excess sugar that might be sticking to your teeth.

Is it really Thanksgiving if you don’t eat mashed potatoes and gravy? This Thanksgiving staple is delicious, but it’s not always the best for your teeth. Potatoes alone contain vitamin C, B6, and potassium, which is healthy for your body. However, potatoes are also quite starchy, which means they attract bacteria that could lead to cavities. Plus, once you cover your potatoes with a mountain of gravy, the sodium and fat don’t do much to help your teeth, either.

We would never tell you to skip out on the potatoes on Thanksgiving. However, be careful of how much gravy you’re adding. Using a little less gravy can help your teeth and entire body feel healthier the next day.

Of course, we can’t leave out this delicious Thanksgiving food! Cranberries are naturally quite bitter, but most Thanksgiving dishes are prepared with lots of sugar. This dish is sticky, acidic, and can even stain your teeth.

If you were going to skip one side dish this holiday, the best one for your teeth would be the cranberry sauce. But if you indulge, just be sure to rinse your mouth and give your teeth a careful scrubbing afterward. If you’re more prone to mouth ulcers, skipping this dish might be in your best interest due to its high acidity.

Keep those teeth as white as snow this holiday season by getting a complete dental checkup after your Thanksgiving feast!