Thanksgiving – a chance to spend time with family and friends, watch football, and reflect on all we have to be grateful for. Of course, Thanksgiving is also a time to indulge in lots of delicious and festive foods!
Unfortunately, holiday feasts expose your teeth to sugary treats that can damage your dental health. Here are six tips from the dentists at Atkins & Anderson to help keep your smile clean and healthy during the holiday season.
1. Drink LOTS of Water
We all know the overall health benefits of water. But staying hydrated also supports healthy saliva flow to wash away sugar, harmful acids, and food particles from your teeth – preventing plaque accumulation. And studies show that drinking water before meals will help you eat less.
2. Brush and Floss
Sugary and sticky foods are in abundance during Thanksgiving. After indulging in your favorite treats, brushing and flossing all the acid-producing sugar and carbs off your teeth is crucial. During festive holidays, try to brush your teeth three times a day and floss at least once every day.
Read More: Daily Dental Do’s – 4 Ways to Keep You and Your Teeth Healthy
3. Chew Sugarless Gum
When you can’t brush your teeth after a meal, chewing sugarless gum helps freshen your breath and removes sugar and food particles. Chewing gum also increases saliva production, which has natural antibacterial properties that flush your mouth and prevent damage from bacteria.
4. Avoid Snacking
The focus may be on the Thanksgiving feast, but it’s easy to mindlessly munch on snacks and sweets throughout the day. Constantly exposing enamel to acidity can wear it down, so make sure there’s plenty of time when you’re not eating. Then you can save your appetite (and teeth) for the main meal!
5. Protect Your Teeth
The holidays can be a target time for something to go wrong – and the last thing you want during Thanksgiving is a cracked tooth! Avoid crunching on ice and using your teeth to open bottles, nuts, or food wrappers.
Read More: Did You Chip or Break a Tooth? Here’s What to Do
6. Make a Post-Holiday Cleaning Appointment
The holidays are a time to enjoy and indulge in special treats – from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. But the long meals and sugary desserts are tough on your teeth. That’s why post-holiday dental cleaning is essential. And a healthy, shiny smile is the perfect way to start the new year!
Happy Thanksgiving from Atkins & Anderson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Atkins & Anderson DDS features three top dentists in Bryan/College Station under one roof – Brady Atkins, DDS, Lindsey Atkins, DDS, and Craig Anderson, DDS.
Atkins & Anderson sees patients of all ages and offers a variety of dental procedures and services, including general, restorative, and cosmetic. We also have a dentist on call 24/7 for after-hours or weekend emergencies. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.