Thanksgiving is a holiday meant for gratitude and spending time for family. It is also a holiday surrounding feasts and indulgence. It can be easy to throw the idea of eating healthy right out the window with all the delicious food around, right? However, there are a few easy ways to help make Thanksgiving a little bit easier on your smile’s health. There are some choices you can make that will have less of a negative effect on your teeth and gums. The E-Care Dentistry team in Olathe, KS wishes you a happy and smile-healthy Thanksgiving!
Beverage of Choice: Water
Food is the star of Thanksgiving: turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, stuffing, and so on. Soda is a sugary distraction from the main attraction. When choosing a beverage to have alongside your meal, water is a great option. Water (especially fluoridated tap water) can be a great choice for your smile’s health. Drinking water with your food can help to rinse away bacteria.
Appetizer: Raw Veggies
Raw vegetables are full of water and fiber. The fibrous nature of raw veggies can somewhat mimic the act of brushing your teeth when you are chewing. Eating raw veggies before the big feast can get your saliva going (which can help keep bacteria and food debris from sticking to your teeth and gums).
Don’t Forget to Brush
Turkey is full of tryptophan, which can make you feel sleepy. Many people go for a post-meal nap or just go right to sleep after Thanksgiving dinner. While it can be tempting to do that, try your best to brush and floss before going to sleep. A sleeping mouth is a hospitable home to the bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Even just chewing sugarless gum right after the meal can be a good way to remove some of the bad agents.
We Hope You Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Appetizer: Raw VeggiesThese tips can help you make healthy choices for your smile on Thanksgiving. To schedule a consultation by calling E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-764-1018. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, Spring Hill, Osawatomie, Edgerton, Shawnee, Johnson County, De Soto, Paola, Lawrence, and all surrounding communities.