You know what’s great about Thanksgiving? There’s no pressure to give the perfect gift. And it’s all about relaxing, cheering on your favorite football team (Go Patriots!), discussing what we are thankful for and of course – eating lots of delicious food.
But with all the non-stop eating New Englanders do on this holiday, it’s not a great day for teeth.
To prepare your mouth for the upcoming day of thanks, our experts here at Dr. Dental are sharing four tooth tips on how to have a smile-friendly day.
1. Drink water every time you eat.
One of the worst things you can do to your smile is snack all day long. When you snack frequently, your saliva doesn’t have time to clean your teeth, therefore bacteria continues to breed. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help wash away food.
2. Steer clear of foods that stain teeth.Â
Thanksgiving Day staples such as pecan pie and cranberries are two of the most delicious – and tooth-staining — treats. Stay away from foods that have a strong coloring, since these colors can wind up on your teeth. Sticky foods, such as pecan pie, can erode your teeth unless you brush immediately.
3. Carry floss.Â
Maybe you can’t whip out your toothbrush right after dinner, but it is pretty easy to have floss available. Use it after your meal to get the leftovers out of your teeth.
4. Brush three times.
Thanksgiving travel may inhibit your ability to brush like you would at home, but it’s an important day to try your best. We recommend brushing three times to clean the teeth after all the food and snacks.
Following these simple tips on Thanksgiving (and year round), will give your teeth many more years of health. Now THAT is something to SMILE about and be thankful for!
We wish you all a healthy, happy and delicious days of thanks!Â
What are your favorite Thanksgiving foods?
There is no better way to keep teeth clean than good oral care — including annual exams and cleanings by Dr. Dental. Schedule an appointment online with us today!
Our family-owned dental offices are proud to bring affordable smiles to all ages at convenient locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
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