What Thanksgiving Foods Will Make Your Teeth Happy?

When you’re stuffing yourself this Thanksgiving, you don’t need to feel too badly about what you’re doing to your health. Sure, you might gain a few pounds, but you may actually be doing wonders for your teeth at the very least. It turns out there are some Thanksgiving foods that are actually good for your dental health! Keep reading to find out more.

Turkey

Yes, that’s right! Turkey is good for your teeth, provided you make sure to clean your teeth afterwards. That’s because it’s filled with protein and phosphorus, which strengthen both your teeth and bones. However, turkey is also hard to eat and can get stuck between your teeth, so make sure you floss afterwards.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed with a variety of vitamins that are extremely good for your teeth. Vitamin C helps fight gingivitis and protects your gums, while vitamin D helps to prevent tooth loss. However, be sure to eat these in moderation; bacteria that causes cavities also happen to love the sugar in potatoes’ starch. As always, don’t forget to brush your teeth and floss afterwards!

Glazed Carrots

Carrots contain a lot of vitamin B, which causes your mouth to salivate. While that might sound strange, saliva is actually very important for your dental health. Saliva kills bacteria and washes away harmful acids. In addition, carrots are loaded with vitamin K, which helps prevent tooth decay.

What Are Some of the Worst Thanksgiving Foods?

While turkey, roasted sweet potatoes, and glazed carrots are dentist-approved in moderation, some foods can spell disaster for your teeth if you’re not careful. Sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages can give you cavities quickly, so make sure you swish your mouth out after consuming these. Desserts like fruit cake are also filled with sugar, and we don’t need to explain how bad that can be for your teeth!

We at Henson Family Dental hope these culinary recommendations will help you enjoy Thanksgiving in the most tooth-friendly way possible. In the meantime, if you’re due for a checkup, or have any other dental issue, contact our office today to schedule an appointment!