Is Thanksgiving Dinner Good For Your Teeth?
For those of you who are meat eaters, we know that turkey is yummy for our tummy, and so are all the side dishes, and desserts. Not all foods are horrible for your teeth. Sometimes, certain foods can actually be good for your teeth. Is Thanksgiving dinner one of them? Let's find out.
Thanksgiving Dinner and Tooth Health
Turkey
The pros: Turkey is good for you because it is packed with protein.
The cons: Turkey gets stuck between your teeth.
The scoop: Feel free to enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey, but remember to floss!
Cranberry Sauce
The pros: Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving tradition because it goes so well with turkey.
The cons: Sugar is often added to cranberry products because cranberries can be so tart.
The scoop: The added sugar, the sticky texture, its acidity, and penchant to stain make cranberry sauce one of those foods that should be eaten with a meal.
Yams
The pros: Sweet potatoes are actually a tooth-friendly food because they are rich in Vitamins A and C, which help keep your gums healthy.
The cons: Candied yam recipes call for brown sugar and marshmallows.
The scoop: When candied, they become sticky and can stay on your teeth longer. Eat in moderation and drink plenty of water with your meal. This will help to wash away the sticky sugars left on your teeth.
Pumpkin Pie
The pros: Pumpkin is a tooth-friendly food because it contains Vitamin A, which helps keep your gums healthy, and helps strengthen tooth enamel.
The cons: Pumpkin pie requires added sugar, and yummy whipped topping.
The scoop: If you are going to enjoy pumpkin pie, eat it shortly after the meal. This helps keep saliva flowing and saliva not only washes away leftover food and sugars, it also helps remineralize your tooth enamel.