Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which means that families and friends all across America are about to dig into a holiday feast. Many traditional holiday foods are high in starch and sugar, so while we’d never tell you to skip your favorite dish, we do have some tips to help mitigate any potential damage to your teeth.
We know that visiting the dentist is the last thing anyone wants to do during the holiday season, but we’re here to help you maintain a beautiful and healthy smile. Schedule an appointment for yourself and your kids by calling Las Vegas family dentist Dr. Jorge Paez at 702-737-3553 today.
Tip #1: Drink Lots of Water
Traditional Thanksgiving dishes like cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, cherry pie, mashed potatoes, and more tend to be high in sugar and starch. Everyone knows that sugar is bad for your teeth, but it’s less well known that starchy foods can be just as bad.
Plus, deeply colored food and drink like cranberries, wine, and coffee can cause staining of the teeth. Your smile won’t become brown overnight due to indulgence in some delicious red berries, but it’s something to be aware of.
Drinking lots of water helps to wash away bacteria and food remnants left behind on the teeth. We recommend that adults and children alike keep a full glass of water on hand and drink up. Go ahead and have wine or milk with dinner, but alternate with sips of water to keep your teeth in tip top shape.
Tip #2: Brush and Floss as Soon as Possible
Thanksgiving dinner often involves sticky foods that get lodged in the teeth. Drinking water helps to get the worst of it out, but make sure you brush and floss as soon as you and your family get home!
Flossing is important to really deep clean between the teeth, where bristles of a toothbrush can’t reach. We know it can be hard to get kids (and even adults…) to floss regularly, but even if you only floss once a year, make it after Thanksgiving dinner. (Please don’t only floss once a year.)
Tip #3: Eat Your Veggies
While the turkey and the pies may be the star of the show at Thanksgiving dinner, there should also be plenty of orange and green vegetables to go around. Sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, maybe a kale salad for that one family member who’s vegan and on a health kick. Colorful veggies are full of healthy vitamins and minerals that are also good for your teeth.
Balance is key when enjoying a holiday meal. Try to eat a little bit of everything and make sure that you get a variety of different vegetables and proteins. Try to make sure your kids eat a variety too, instead of just loading up on one thing they like.
Tip #4: Don’t Skip Your Visit to the Dentist
The best way to keep your teeth white and healthy is to visit your dentist regularly! The holiday season won’t stand a chance against your teeth as long as you practice moderation and make sure to follow your dentist’s guidelines.
At our Las Vegas dentist office, we try our best to make sure that our patients feel comfortable and taken care of. We have toys and games for kids in the waiting room, and our staff know how to deal with children to make their experience fun and not traumatizing.
Schedule Your Dental Appointment
Get a head start on keeping your teeth healthy for the holidays by making your appointment with Dr. Paez today. Call 702-737-3553 to schedule appointments for yourself and your whole family. We serve patients in Summerlin, Spring Valley, and other nearby areas of greater Las Vegas.