
Dr Bonaventure’s Thanksgiving Healthy Teeth Guide
The good guys v the bad guys
The team at Bonaventure Dental Care in Baton Rouge are looking forward to our Thanksgiving celebrations this month, as you all are. So, perhaps talking teeth isn’t at the forefront of your mind?!
Prevent Cavities And Staining
But during this time when we eat, drink and be merry don’t forget to care for your mouth at the same time to help prevent cavities and staining. Some foods invite tooth decay to the party whilst other foods have hidden superpowers when it comes to helping fight plaque build-up.
We are what we eat. That’s especially true when it comes to our teeth. And obviously whilst, most vegetables are the good guys and starchy and sugary foods are the villains, there’s often a surprising twist to the tale.
Let’s take a look at the cast list for our Thanksgiving table display:
First up on center stage is of course the turkey – naturally the star of the show.
- Turkey is packed with protein and is the staple dish to any Thanksgiving gathering. Phosphorous, found in protein rich foods such as meat, poultry, and fish, can play a key role in dental health as it helps protect and rebuild tooth enamel.
- On the downside as the meat can get stuck in your teeth always floss when cleaning your teeth to get those bits out. As luck may have it, the day after Thanksgiving this year (Nov 26th) is National Flossing Day! So, no excuses…
If turkey is the protagonist, then cranberry sauce is its sidekick.
- Full of nutrients and antioxidants these little berries pack a powerful punch and their tart sugary flavor work hand in hand with your turkey dish.
- In terms of your oral hygiene however cranberries are sticky and acidic and could stain your teeth.
Coming in stage right is the controversial dish of Mac n Cheese or otherwise known as Carbs n Calcium. Do we or don’t we bring it to the table?
- Mac n Cheese is like the Good Cop, Bad Cop scene. In the red corner is calcium – well known for being teeth friendly helping to strengthen and help teeth grow.
- In the blue corner are the carbs. Heavy on the waistline and being sticky and starchy will leave sugar behind your teeth.
Finally, the romantic part goes to Pumpkin Pie – the grand finale of all good stories.
- Pumpkin is a provider of vitamin A which is great for keeping your gums healthy and a key nutrient for tooth enamel. Tooth enamel contains keratin, a protein that uses vitamin A in its formation process. Most orange foods like pumpkin, sweet potatoes or carrots have vitamin A.
- On the downside added sugar in pumpkin pie, coupled with a cream topping for example, spells bad news for your teeth.
Tips To Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Of course, you can still enjoy your holiday favorites! Some tips to keep your teeth healthy this holiday season is to eat sugary foods with meals so the saliva produced during meals will help reduce the effect of acid production and helps clear pieces of food from your mouth.
Limit between-meal snacks. Or try sugarless gum after a snack to increase saliva flow. Drink plenty of water, especially fluoridated water and brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Feel free to contact us here at Bonaventure Dental Care in Baton Rouge if you have any questions about oral hygiene. We’ll be happy to help you.