If you like foods, then Thanksgiving is the holiday for you! As your dentists in Bergen County, NJ, we like it too and we don’t expect you to completely abstain from indulging in special treats. Still, there are ways to minimize potentially negative impacts on your dental health. Check out our tips for a healthy smile:

  • Load Up on Turkey – Of all of the dishes on your Thanksgiving table, turkey is among the least problematic for your teeth. It’s good for the rest of your too, since it’s packed with protein. Go ahead and have a second helping! It can get stuck in teeth though. If that happens to you, try to remove it as quickly as possible after your meal. 
  • Choose Your Sides Carefully – Watch out for starches and sugars in side dishes. You may think mashed potatoes and mac and cheese are good choices because they don’t contain sugar. But they are both quite starchy, and starch turns to sugar in your mouth. It’s OK to enjoy them, but limit how much of them you consume. Similarly, corn is a starchy vegetable. Choose peas, green beans, and carrots instead – but don’t eat too much if they’ve been prepared in a sauce. 
  • Opt for Pumpkin Pie – If there are several options for pie, pumpkin is one of the best choices. It typically contains less sugar than berry or apple. Unlike chocolate or lemon, it usually isn’t topped with meringue. Plus pumpkin contains vitamin A, which strengthens your tooth enamel. If you can, resist the temptation to top your pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
  • Drink Lots of Water – Water is absolutely the best choice for a beverage. It lacks the sugars and acids that can damage teeth. It also helps rinse away food debris. We know you may get tired of drinking nothing but water. Unsweetened iced tea isn’t too harmful, though it can stain teeth. If you can, rinse your mouth with water after drinking it. Skip the soda. It is especially bad for teeth, since it is highly acidic and contains lots of sugar. 
  • Brush & Floss – We know napping is a popular activity after the big meal. If you can, brush and floss your teeth before you get comfy on the couch. If you can’t, then do try to rinse your mouth with water. 
  • Schedule an Exam and Cleaning – You should see us at least once every six months for an exam and cleaning. If you are overdue for an exam, you still have a little over a month to schedule one in 2021. We’ll remove all of the cavity-causing plaque from your teeth and also identify any small issues that may need to be treated so they don’t become more serious problems.

Need to make an appointment for an exam and cleaning or other service? Call Summit Dental at 201-366-7001 to get in touch with our dentist in Hackensack, NJ office to schedule or call 201-347-1417 if you prefer our dentist in Tenafly, NJ office to schedule.