It’s time for Thanksgiving again, so people are showing gratitude for what they value. In particular, many are giving thanks for family, friends, health, home, and more. Whatever else is on your thankfulness list, though, make sure to add oral health to it this year. After all, you’ll use your teeth and gums to eat and chat over the holiday season! That being said, this dentist in Newark has some ideas for honoring your smile on Turkey Day. Here’s a summary of four great dental care tips that’ll show your teeth the Thanksgiving spirit!
Eat Proteins & Veggies
This Thanksgiving, fill up on meats and veggies instead of stuffing or mashed potatoes. As it turns out, the former foods significantly benefit your pearly whites.
Take turkey, for instance. This item is jam-packed with protein and phosphorous, nutrients that strengthen your tooth enamel and your jaw. Plus, it can revitalize gums by repairing damaged muscle tissue.
Various vegetables are good for your mouth too. Some, like sweet potatoes, have vitamins A, C, and B6 that bolster teeth, reduce inflammation, and protect your gums.
Have Lots of Cranberries
Aside from the sweet potatoes, don’t forget to add cranberries to your plate. Among other things, these little berries prevent tooth decay due to their polyphenols. More specifically, they keep harmful bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
Still, try to be careful of how you serve up the cranberries. Some cranberry sauce recipes are high in sugar, a carb harmful to teeth!
Be Careful of Sticky Sweets
Some of the best-known Thanksgiving dishes are desserts — sweets such as pies, cobblers, cakes, and so on. However, they’re bad for teeth despite being tasty.
The issue with the items above is their sugariness and stickiness. Given such traits, the treats cling to teeth over long periods and erode your enamel. Left unchecked, this process could cause you to get cavities, gum disease, or worse.
Don’t Skip Teeth Cleanings
The end-of-year holidays can keep people busy, but that’s no reason to skip dental visits. Regular checkups and cleanings do wonders for your smile. Therefore, make an appointment with your dentist in Newark before their schedule books up. That way, your teeth and gums will be healthy before the Thanksgiving meals start.
As you can see, there are many ways to appreciate teeth on Thanksgiving. Remember the tips above, then, to ensure your smile gets the thanks it deserves!
About the Practice
White Clay Dental is based in Newark, DE. Led by Drs. Timothy Ganfield and Donald Bond, our practice proudly provides affordable dental care for all ages. As such, we perform high-quality preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, not to mention emergency procedures. Our office is also a certified provider of SixMonth and Invisalign clear aligner braces. For more information or to book a visit, reach us on our website or by phone at (302)-731-4225.