Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the office of Kevin Postol! We’re so grateful for our wonderful patients and staff for making our practice what it is today.
Thanksgiving is all about fun family get-togethers, relaxing in front of a great football game, and of course, enjoying a feast that will keep you full for the rest of your Thanksgiving break. Unfortunately, some of the foods that you will be tempted with may not be great for your smile. Here are a few tips for taking care of your teeth throughout the day on Thanksgiving.
During Dinner
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Avoid Hard Foods
Watch out for any hard foods that could damage existing dental work, such as turkey bones, crispy breads, or nutshells. A single misplaced bite on a hard food item could land you with a cracked or fractured tooth.
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Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
As you eat Thanksgiving dinner, make sure to drink a lot of water. Water does more than help you to digest that massive meal. Hydrating also helps you to rinse away food particles in your mouth and dilute bacterial acids, preventing decay.
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Watch Out for Pigmented Foods
Foods that have high levels of dyes or pigments can cause staining on the surfaces of teeth. Avoid bright or dark foods like colas, berries, brown gravy, red wine, and cranberry sauce during dinner.
Dessert
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Avoid Longtime Exposure to Sugars
When it comes to dessert, eat your slices of pie and then get rid of your plate. Exposing your teeth to sugar over a lengthy time period has been found to be just as damaging as multiple repeated exposures, since bacterial acids attack the teeth for up to twenty minutes after you eat.
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Brush and Floss After Your Meal
After dinner and dessert, sneak away to brush and floss your teeth. Pack a travel toothbrush and a few flossing picks to make the job easier on the go. You might feel silly, but you will be the only one with fresh breath and teeth that aren’t fighting a battle with bacterial acids all day long.
For more information about taking care of your teeth this holiday season, contact your favorite Ballwin dentist. Dr. Postol loves talking with patients about preventive care and addressing dental issues, so make an appointment for your next checkup or cleaning today.
