Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy tasty food, and watch football. For most of us, it’s also a time to overindulge in our favorite foods. But did you know that poor eating habits can also affect your dental health? At Beautiful Dentistry, we can help you avoid these common Thanksgiving dental problems through the following tips:
Brushing your teeth after eating is also very important. Waiting too long to brush can lead to tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth use leftover food as fuel for acid production. The acids will then attack the teeth and lead to cavities. Try to get into the habit of brushing your teeth within 30 minutes of eating a meal.
When a lot of food gets caught in your teeth, bacteria multiply quickly and create plaque. In order to prevent this buildup, rinse your mouth with water and floss your teeth daily. If flossing is not a regular habit for you, it is never too late to start. Flossing keeps your gums healthy by preventing gingivitis and cavities.
Make an appointment with your Tempe, AZ, dentist as soon as possible for a cleaning and checkup. It is never a bad idea to schedule a cleaning and exam before a big holiday celebration like Thanksgiving. Oftentimes, people will have a few drinks and eat a lot of food during the holiday. This can make it easier for cavities to develop since bacteria have numerous food sources to feast on. Brushing and flossing your teeth at home can’t reach every crevice of the teeth that plaque and tartar can. Therefore, it is beneficial to visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and exam. This way, you can catch any cavities or gum disease as early as possible before they worsen and cause you further pain.
Thanksgiving is such a fun holiday filled with delicious foods, but it’s important to remember which foods are best for your teeth and which are best to avoid. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water or mouthwash after you eat to help wash away excess food particles and make brushing easier!
While hard candies and toffees are delicious, they don’t do much for your teeth or your oral health in general. The same goes for some fruit roll-ups, too, so be aware. These foods can easily get stuck in between teeth or on the tongue, where bacteria can multiply quickly and lead to tooth decay. Stick to healthier options like apple slices, carrots, or celery sticks instead that can actually help keep your mouth clean as you eat by stimulating the flow of your saliva.
Harder foods such as nuts, popcorn kernels, and even ice are some of the worst things you can eat because they can easily crack a tooth. If you manage to fracture a tooth and it’s left untreated, it could lead to an infection or even tooth loss. That’s definitely not something to be thankful for! Be extra careful when you’re eating these types of foods, especially if you have weak enamel, to begin with.
As always, water is the best beverage to drink throughout the day. Not only does it not contain sugars that can feed the bacteria in your mouth and cause decay, but it keeps the mouth moist, which is also important for keeping cavities at bay. If you’re out and about and can’t drink plain water, opt for unsweetened tea, coffee, or milk to keep your smile happy and healthy this holiday season.
Visit Beautiful Dentistry at 2125 E Warner Rd #101, Tempe, AZ 85284, or call us at (480) 831-1700 to learn more about ways to keep teeth healthy.
MON 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
TUE - THU 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
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SAT - SUN Closed
