There is no time quite like the holidays to bring the family together, enjoy a nice home cooked meal and appreciate the time you get to spend with one another. Thanksgiving is typically considered the “start” of these late-in-the-year gatherings, and should make one reflect and be happy for all they have.

 

But with so many things to be thankful for, your smile may not always outrank some other options. Coupling this with the potentially massive amounts of food that can be put on your plate, and our oral health can be put by the wayside for a few weeks. With that in mind, today your Washington DC dentist wanted to discuss some of the healthier food options you can choose to show your teeth you are truly thankful for them this holiday season.

 

Turkey, potatoes and the works can take hours to get ready…so you and your guests always need a little warm up. Why not make that appetizer a veggie tray? Include some of the following options to help your guests not only be “held over” until dinner time but to actually help naturally clean their teeth too:             

 

Carrots, Broccoli Florets, Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, Artichoke Hearts, Cucumber slices, Olives & more.

 

When it comes to your sweet potatoes, try avoiding the gooey and sugary marshmallow topping. Although it may taste good, the marshmallow can get caught between the teeth and cause decay if not properly removed. If you really need that extra boost of sweet in your sweet, try a little brown sugar or maple syrup instead.

 

Lastly, who can survive Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce? Yeah, we thought so. Instead of going with the canned version this year, which is very high in sugar content, try making it yourself! You can try out different amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners in your recipe that often times can come out to be better than the canned stuff anyway. It may be a bit more work, but it will be worth it in the end.

 

So with all of those great additions to consider, what can we avoid then? Although a plethora of desserts and carbs will be rolling at you- they are going to be the worst items when it comes to your oral health. Most deserts contain gratuitous amounts of sugar, and carbs from bread and other items can break down into sugars as well- both of which can damage and decay your teeth.  Try to watch the amount of both of these that you take in to avoid any holiday oral health hazards.

 

Your Washington DC dentist hopes you have a Happy Thanksgiving! If you have any questions about this topic or need to schedule an appointment, feel free to call our office at (202) 722-1731.