Today is Thanksgiving.  A great day to be with friends and family and have a great big meal!  But did you know that drinking and snacking on sweet or starchy things today is not just a treat for yourself, but unfortunately for the plaque building up on your teeth as well. Plaque means bacteria and bacteria leads to cavities and potential  tooth loss.  Here are a few suggestions to combat those goodies and promote a healthy holiday smile.

Fiber is exceptionally good for your teeth, acting somewhat like a detergent in your mouth, helping to scrub off that unwanted plaque. There are a number of fruits and vegetables that have good fiber content, and it certainly wouldn’t hurt to include a few more veggies into your holiday menu. Some examples are artichokes, broccoli and raw carrots. Not only do fibrous foods act as scrubbers, they also promote saliva flow, which aids in neutralizing acids and enzymes which attack your tooth enamel.

Dairy products are also good for your oral health.  They contain calcium which helps build stronger enamel, providing better protection from those less healthful holiday choices. Many recipes call for cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products which help with your tooth enamel.

Do you have a soft spot for an after dinner latte? A latte actually has a couple of good things going for your teeth – milk and tea. Both green and black teas contain polyphenols that work to counteract plaque causing bacteria. Although tea is acid, the acidity is so weak that it does not affect your teeth.  Both black and green teas contain the properties that break down plaque bacteria, making them a good component of a healthy teeth arsenal. Just cut back on some of the sugar in that latte!

Eating for the health of your teeth doesn’t need to be a chore; there are plenty of tooth-healthy foods that are delightful to the palate as well. From everyone at Gentle Dental, we wish you a great Thanksgiving holiday. To make an appointment for a cleaning after the big meal please call 1-888-513-7436.