About dental friendly foods
A dental friendly Thanksgiving is a win-win for everyone. This sumptuous meal is often the most anticipated meal of the year and is most definitely part of the Thanksgiving tradition. And…we clearly don’t want to deprive you or ourselves of that!
Traditional foods like roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are dishes we all look forward to eating. So, the question is: how can we enjoy the meal and have it be dental friendly too?
Tips for enjoying a dental friendly Thanksgiving
Foods —The Main Dishes
Here is what you should know about Thanksgiving dinner food favorites:
- Turkey. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), turkey is the healthiest part of the meal because it is packed with protein and is a dental friendly food. (But, you may need to floss afterward to handle what gets stuck between your teeth.)
- Cranberry sauce. Don’t eat cranberry sauce alone. Make sure you eat it with the meal because it’s sugary, acidic and can temporarily stain your teeth.
- Sweet potatoes. Rich in vitamins A and C, they are great for your gums. Even better, when you leave out marshmallows and brown sugar, they are healthier for you too. If you’re eating candied sweet potatoes, drink lots of water with your meal to wash away the residue.
- Green beans. Colgate recommends sautéing green beans in sesame oil. In fact, you can even use sesame oil as a mouthwash to reduce plaque. Sesame oil has even been known to reduce gingivitis.
- Mashed potatoes and gravy. While potations contain vitamin C, B6 and potassium, they are also very starchy.
The Extras
- Pumpkin pie. The vitamin A in pumpkins helps build tooth enamel and keep gums healthy. But, what about the sugar in pumpkin pie and sugary whipping cream? Not so dental friendly. Make sure you eat your pie shortly after the meal while the saliva in your mouth is still flowing.
- Water and tea. Water and tea are the best beverages to drink. Drinking water helps to wash away bits of food and the acid in your mouth. Green tea and black tea help kill bacteria, which makes them a good cavity preventative.
- Cheese, nuts and raw vegetable snack tray. A cheese, nuts and raw veggie snack tray is a healthy appetizer or snack to eat while watching football games. Cheese contains calcium and studies have shown that cheese helps prevent cavities. Eating raw veggies helps to wipe away plaque and nuts contain calcium and minerals that help re-mineralize teeth.
What to do after the meal is over
Before you settle down on the couch after your meal, rinse your mouth out with water. You’ll wash away some of the food that got stuck between your teeth. If possible, brush and floss after the meal as well.
We Are Glad to Answer Your Questions About Dental Care
If you’re wondering about dental care, feel free to ask our dentists at Hutto Hippo Family Dental.
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