Thankful Thoughts: 3 Ways to Appreciate Your Teeth

Every November, countless families gather at Thanksgiving dinner to make lifelong memories and express gratitude for their many blessings. If you’re struggling to find things to be glad for this year, why not focus on your dental health? Your teeth are with you your entire life; without them, basic tasks like eating, speaking, and grinning confidently suddenly become much more challenging.

Continue reading to learn about 3 ways to safeguard your smile while making the most of the season!

Helpful Tip #1: Brush and Floss First

Many holiday gatherings feature darkly tinted foods and beverages that can tint your grin, such as wine, berries, tomatoes, coffee, or tea. It can be hard to skip them altogether, especially when they’re included in some of your favorite recipes or cocktails.

Fortunately, proper preventative care strengthens your enamel so pigmented particles can’t cling to it and stain.  Furthermore, it keeps your teeth and gums clear of plaque and bacteria that contribute to oral issues like cavities and gum disease. To avoid potential problems, like damage or discoloration, brush and floss your teeth 30 minutes before you eat anything.

Helpful Tip #2: Skip the Sweets

What autumnal celebration would be complete without a warm slice of pumpkin, pecan, or apple pie? Even if you prefer other types of treats, there’s a good chance that you’ll find something tasty to satisfy your sweet tooth this time of year. However, sugar attracts harmful germs that cause potential problems, so it’s best to limit your intake.

If you find it impossible to resist a slice of pie or other delicious dessert, you can mitigate the possible harm by washing it down with a tall glass of water. H2O has a neutral pH balance to counteract acid damage to your enamel and removes unwanted particles and leftover pieces of food.

Helpful Tip #3: Try the Turkey

Did you know that an estimated 46 million turkeys are eaten each year in connection with Thanksgiving? This popular lean meat is a great source of protein and is known for leaving you drowsy after dinner, but that’s not all it does.

Turkey also contains phosphorus, which is essential for building and maintaining strong teeth and bones. It combines with calcium in your system to create hydroxyapatite, a primary component of enamel. This protective outer layer is the hardest substance produced by the human body and prevents dental chips, cracks, stains, and other damage.

Making a few slight adjustments can keep your grin happy and healthy this fall!

About the Practice

At Arbor Dental Care, you and your family benefit from a father-daughter dental duo that provides a wide range of services to improve your oral health. Drs. Frank and Jeanelle “Nellie” Marchese treat patients of all ages, and take the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns. Then, they devise fully individualized treatment plans to help meet them. If you need a checkup, you can request an appointment on the website or call (630) 969-2310.