Many people spend the holidays concerned about how it will affect their waistline. But have you ever stopped to consider how it can affect your dental health? The good news is that many traditional Thanksgiving foods are actually beneficial for your teeth. The main thing you have to keep an eye out for is excess sugar. Today, we’ll go over not only the best Thanksgiving foods for your teeth, but also some general oral health reminders for this Thanksgiving season. If you’re thinking about how to have a tooth-friendly Thanksgiving, look no further. You’ll be able to load your plate and be thankful that you’re supporting good oral health. 

The Best Thanksgiving Foods for Your Teeth 

If you need a refresher on how nutrition and oral health are linked, you can feel free to check out our previous posts. However, we’ll also cover the highlights here. To support the health of your teeth, make sure that you’re getting plenty of: 

• Water 
• Fruits and veggies 
• Calcium 
• Protein 

Water gets jokingly called the universal cure, but it’s not too far off from the truth. Water isn’t just good for our bodies—it also keeps our teeth clean by washing away any unwanted substances that otherwise cause decay. Water is also important for preventing dry mouth, which can speed up the process of enamel erosion. 

Fruits and vegetables are full of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy teeth. You don’t need to worry about sugar content when it comes to fruit, either. They’re so full of fiber and water that it cancels out any of the sugar content. On top of that, fruits and vegetables increase saliva production that helps clear your teeth of unwanted bacteria. So load up on your grandma’s strawberry salad! 

Calcium is a crucial mineral that keeps our teeth and jaws strong while helping to hold our teeth in place. It works together with phosphorus in order to make this happen. Calcium can be found on your Thanksgiving plate in the spinach or collard greens, the cheese, the almonds sprinkled on that sweet potato casserole, and of course, in the glass of milk you wash it all down with.  

Protein is an important macronutrient that contains phosphorus, the same nutrient that calcium needs to be most effective. Like calcium, protein strengthens your teeth, jaw, and gums. On top of that, phosphorus helps rebuild the enamel of your teeth. You can get protein from foods such as meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. As it turns out, then, our favorite Thanksgiving foods often contain one or multiple of these elements! Let’s look at a few of the best Thanksgiving foods you can eat for your dental health.  

Turkey 

As you might have guessed by now, eating with your oral health in mind doesn’t mean that you have to skip your favorite Thanksgiving foods. Turkey is full of nutritious protein, which, as we discussed, naturally contains phosphorus. This means that not only will every slice give you a stronger jaw, teeth, and gums, but the phosphorus will also enable any calcium you eat to do the same. 

Sweet Potatoes 

Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamin A and vitamin C and help aid in gum health. The antioxidant powers of these vitamins can work wonders for your dental health! But keep in mind, at Thanksgiving, sweet potatoes often candied and served with marshmallows. This means more sugar and the potential of it sticking to your teeth. You don’t have to avoid them completely, but remember to eat them in moderation and wash them down with water. 

Pumpkin Pie 

One of the best things about Thanksgiving is that even the dessert is tooth-friendly! Pumpkin pie, a holiday classic, is actually good for your teeth. Like sweet potatoes, pumpkin is full of vitamin A, which promotes gum health and hardens your enamel. Our only recommendation is that you wait until after dinner to have a slice so you avoid the temptation to overindulge. 

That’s the good news: Thanksgiving foods are actually often packed with helpful nutrients for your teeth! Unlike Halloween, this is a holiday dentists can get behind. But that doesn’t mean that there are no pitfalls surrounding Turkey Day. The Thanksgiving break is a good time to reset and remind yourself of the good oral health habits that you want to be practicing all year long.  

Oral Health Reminders 

This Thanksgiving, give yourself the gift of a strong and healthy smile. You should be visiting your dentist every six months as part of a good oral health plan. Many people find that the time off from work or school during Thanksgiving is the perfect opportunity to get a dental checkup. In the meantime, keep some of these challenges in mind as you go about the rest of your year. 

Some common oral health difficulties are: 

• Inconsistent schedules 
• Stress 
• Smoking 

Inconsistent schedules can be challenging if you’re starting school or a new job. Early mornings and late nights can send you rushing out the door or falling into bed without brushing your teeth. 

Stress can also do serious damage to your mouth if left unchecked. You may develop cold sores or mouth ulcers, or you could start clenching or grinding your teeth. Finding ways to relieve stress is as important to your oral health as it is to your overall well-being. 

You should be well-aware of the dangerous effects of smoking by now, like staining your teeth. However, you may not be aware that smoking can also cause decreased blood flow to the gums, bone shrinkage, and tooth loss. Quit now or, better yet, never start and protect your oral health. 

Protecting Your Oral Health 

The best way to protect your oral health is by following the same advice you’ve been told since you were little. This includes: 

• Brushing for two minutes twice a day 
• Flossing at least once per day 
• Getting regular dental checkups every six months 

This will ensure that you have healthy teeth and gums for years to come. As mentioned, Thanksgiving break is the perfect time to get back on top of habits that you might have fallen away from. It also might give you the space you need to finally schedule that overdue appointment with your dentist.   

 If you encounter a dental emergency while the office is not open, head to the emergency room. Otherwise,  enjoy that Thanksgiving food, and happy holidays from us to you!