While it’s true that holidays should be about celebration, having fun and minding your oral health are not mutually exclusive. If you include some of these ingredients in your holiday meal, you’ll be able to indulge yourself while being good to your teeth at the same time.
Being Healthy this Holiday: Three Thanksgiving Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth
Yogurt
This creamy treat is packed with calcium, which can help keep your teeth and bones strong. It’s also full of good bacteria, which is necessary to maintain a proper balance in your mouth, stomach, and digestive track. However, many types of yogurt contain added sugar, which is bad for teeth.
To utilize the benefits without the drawbacks, stick to plain yogurt. You can use it to make dressings for your holiday salad or even add it to mashed to potatoes to make them creamier.
Leafy Greens
Greens are a powerhouse when it comes to health. They’re high in calcium, magnesium and a large variety of vitamins and antioxidants, all of which are important for maintaining a healthy mouth.
This holiday, instead of making a typical side salad with iceberg lettuce, consider making a richer, more nutritious salad using leafy greens. You can also steam them, cook them on the stove with a little bit of oil or fry them in a skillet until they’re crispy.
Celery
This is a common ingredient used in homemade stuffing, so you’ll be glad to know that it’s a good source of vitamins C and A, both of which can assist with gum health. You can add it to your stuffing mix as mentioned, and you can also put the raw celery sticks out as an appetizer along with yogurt as a dipping sauce.
Allowing for Indulgence: Taking Care of Your Mouth After a Thanksgiving Treat
You’ll more than likely end up having a few treats this year, which is fine. As long as you make an effort to take care of your mouth throughout the holiday weekend and beyond, you shouldn’t suffer any lasting damage.
Brush and Floss
Most people indulge in a huge meal and follow it up with a long nap. Before you head for that comfy spot on the couch, take a trip to the bathroom to brush and floss your teeth. That way, all those food particles won’t remain lodged in your mouth where they can cause damage.
See the Dentist
A post-holiday visit to the dentist is always a good idea. You’ll be able to get a deep clean, and your dentist can check for any cavities that might have begun forming due to all those holiday treats.
For more information about foods that are good for your teeth or to schedule an appointment, please contact Mountain View Dental today. We offer a warm and professional office environment that makes dental visits a breeze.
