Have you ever looked at the Thanksgiving dinner table and thought, “This has got to be a terrible meal for my teeth”? In some ways, you’re not wrong! While there are (fortunately) Thanksgiving classics that are tooth-friendly, many others aren’t.
Preparing the biggest dinner of the year is already a lot of work, though. Thinking up new recipes to protect your pearly whites might seem like a tall order. Fear not – this post has your back. Keep reading for some simple swaps that’ll have you and the family grinning from ear to ear.
Pecan Pie or Pumpkin?
Pecan pie is a traditional favorite, but this gooey confection is stuffed with sugar. Unfortunately for those with a sweet tooth, sugar additives accelerate bacteria growth, which increases your risk of developing cavities. Pumpkin pie, on the other hand, is just as classic, but without as much sucrose! Opt for this kind of pie instead and consider skipping out on the whip cream this year.
Out With the Dried Fruit, in With the Fresh!
Fruit is fruit, right? How could it possibly be bad for your oral health? The next time you buy dried fruit from the store, check out the ingredients. They contain a shocking amount of sugar. At the end of the day, the natural sweetness of fresh fruit is better for your pearly whites. Plus, fresh fruit is usually not as chewy, meaning any sugar and bacteria won’t get stuck to your teeth.
Switch it Up with Warm Chai
If you enjoy a good glass of wine during the holidays, that’s not a bad thing in and of itself. However, wine and other types of alcohol are highly acidic. This property can cause premature enamel erosion if you don’t moderate your consumption.
A more smile-friendly alternative is to shake things up with a warm pot of chai tea. The spices go great with the season, and since chai is a black tea, you’ll also benefit from its polyphenols – compounds that reduce gum inflammation and bad breath.
Go Boneless
Turky actually has plenty of nutrients that promote strong, healthy teeth. That won’t matter much if you bite down on a hard bone, though! Avoid the potential damage and a trip to the emergency dentist by simply going boneless with your flightless bird.
With a few simple swaps, your Thanksgiving dinner can go from an oral health hazard to a meal that supports your smile!
About the Practice
Our three dentists at Sweet Smiles Dental Design have decades of experience between them. Each has their own specialty, allowing us to provide patients with top-notch care in a number of fields, including restorative dentistry, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. Whether you’d like to prepare your teeth for Thanksgiving with a checkup and cleaning or want a whitening treatment after the festivities, we’ve got you covered! To contact our office, call 303-688-9519.