Thanksgiving is no stranger to sugary classics; sweet potatoes are adorned with marshmallows and piled into a casserole dish, cranberry sauce suddenly booms in popularity, and, of course, the pumpkin spice latte changed the world. These sugary confections aren’t exactly good for your teeth, though!
Fortunately, there are some good eggs at the Thanksgiving dinner table, so to speak. Keep reading to find out which foods your teeth will be grateful for this year.
The Star of The Night: Turkey
Stuffing isn’t the only thing your flightless bird is packed with! Turkey has tons of nutritional value, but let’s focus on zinc. Zinc has been shown to improve your immune system’s function, giving it some extra fighting power against all kinds of diseases and infection – such as tooth decay and gum disease, for example.
Plain ‘Ol Sweet Potatoes
True, true, sweet potatoes often get piled high with additional sweeteners during the holidays. However, if you can stomach them “plain jane,” then you’ll be doing your smile a huge favor. Sweet potatoes contain vitamins A and C; vitamin A helps build dental enamel, while vitamin C strengthens your gums. It’s a win-win combination for sure.
The Showstopper: Pumpkin Pie
As long as you go easy on the whipped cream, pumpkin pie is probably the best pie you could have for your teeth. Pumpkin also contains vitamin A and zinc, as well as calcium. Calcium helps fortify enamel and is great for giving your pearly whites extra protection against decay and gum disease.
Balancing your Thanksgiving meal by focusing more on these foods and less on sugary desserts will help make sure your teeth stay healthy during the holiday season. You don’t have to give up your favorite treats completely, though, which is something to celebrate! It’s simply important to keep in mind that moderation is key when it comes to taking care of your smile. Oh, and so are brushing and flossing, so be sure to spend at least two minutes on that before going to bed at the end of the day!
About the Author
Dr. Hal M. Lippard earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis. He’s been serving Charlottesville and the surrounding areas for decades now, and is actively involved in the community, which might be part of the reason why his office feels like a second home! If you need some professional dental care before the holidays, Dr. Hal will treat you like family and make sure your needs are addressed. To contact his office, call 434-293-9311.