The thing about keeping your smile healthy is that it’s an ongoing effort, and it’s largely affected by what you eat and drink every day. This makes Thanksgiving an especially tricky time for your smile; you should be able to enjoy the indulgence of the season, but how can you do so without significant raising your risks of developing cavities in the process? Fortunately, it may be simpler than you think. With these four tips, you can safeguard your teeth against cavities while also enjoying all of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes and treats.
Strategies to avoid tooth decay
- Don’t skip over the vegetables – It’s no secret you need to eat plenty of vegetables to keep your body strong and healthy. The same is true for your teeth and oral tissues. The minerals and nutrients found in most vegetables are vital to the health and integrity of your teeth, so be sure to include plenty of them on your plate along with all of your other favorite foods.
- Minimize your sweet tooth – When it comes to food and teeth, it’s also no secret that sugar is one of your smile’s biggest threats. Sugar and other carbs feed some of the most malicious oral bacteria found in your dental plaque. These microbes convert the carbs into acids that break down your tooth enamel, allowing bacteria to infect your tooth structure (leading to cavities).
- Rinse your mouth with water often – That doesn’t you have to completely stay away from sweets, however. To enjoy them without putting your teeth at significant risk, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward. In fact, you should rinse with water after every meal or snack to wash away lingering food particles and neutralize harmful oral bacteria.
- Drink more water than other beverages – In addition to rinsing your mouth with water, drinking plenty of water is also vital to protecting your smile. Your saliva is your main defense in rinsing away oral bacteria, and it’s made almost entirely of water. Drinking plenty of it will not only actively rinse your teeth, but also promote a healthier flow of saliva to continuously do so throughout the rest of the day.
Schedule a visit to double-check for cavities
The heightened exposure to different foods and beverages might raise your risks of cavities, but that’s no reason why you can’t safely enjoy all your favorite treats this Thanksgiving! To learn more about successfully preventing cavities, schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
