Thanksgiving is about spending time with friends and family and being truly thankful for what we have. But let’s be honest — it’s also about the food. Tables laden with delicious options may satisfy your cravings, but they can sometimes wreak havoc with your oral health.
The good news: with just a little extra care, you can enjoy all the goodness Thanksgiving dinner brings without increasing the risk of cavities or gum disease. In this post, the team at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC shows you how.
Raw vegetables like carrots, celery, and broccoli aren’t just healthy — they’re natural tooth cleaners, too. Their crunchy texture helps scrub away food particles and stimulate saliva production, which washes away acids that can weaken your tooth enamel.
Crunchy veggies also provide important nutrients, such as vitamin A and calcium, that support strong teeth and gums. If you need to dip your veggies to make them extra delicious, choose hummus or a yogurt-based dip for extra benefits.
Cheese might not be the first food you think of at Thanksgiving, but it’s actually a great choice for your teeth. Cheese is rich in calcium and phosphorus, important minerals that work together to strengthen tooth enamel.
Calcium also helps neutralize acids that could otherwise eat away at enamel and make your teeth more prone to cavities. Even better, cheese increases saliva production, which acts as a natural defense against tooth decay.
The main course may be the star of the Thanksgiving table, but who doesn’t hang around for dessert? Unfortunately, sweets feed bacteria that increase the risks of cavities and gum disease — but again, there are some things you can do to protect your oral health while still indulging.
Stay away from sticky treats, like pecan pie, marshmallow toppings, and foods with caramel fillings or glazes, since these foods can leave sugary residues on your teeth, making it easier for bacteria to feed and multiply. Pumpkin pie is a better choice — better still if you pair your dessert with a glass of calcium-rich milk to help neutralize acids produced by bacteria.
Desserts aren’t the only foods that contain sugars attractive to bacteria. Many Thanksgiving staples, like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and even gravy, contain starches. In your mouth, saliva breaks down these starches, converting them to simple sugars attractive to decay-causing bacteria.
To counteract the effect, be sure to eat plenty of phosphorus-rich turkey or other proteins, and choose nonstarchy vegetables without sauces. Again, adding a little cheese or fibrous veggies like celery sticks to your plate helps neutralize acids and remove food particles that could otherwise cause trouble.
Finally, drinking water is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your teeth during Thanksgiving dinner. Water helps wash away food particles, dilute enamel-eroding acids, and prevent dry mouth, all of which help maintain your beautiful pearly whites.
If you want to enjoy a glass of cider or wine with your meal, alternate sips with plain water. After your meal, rinsing with water removes food particles and helps “reset” the natural balance of acids in your saliva.
Maintaining good oral health might take a little effort, but the rewards are well worth it. If you do develop an oral health issue during the holidays or any time of the year, we’re here to help. To schedule your visit, call 929-229-0255 or book an appointment online at Compassionate Endodontists New York/NYC in New York City today.
