As Thanksgiving Day fast approaches, we all know that enjoying a delicious feast with family and friends is part of tradition. However, even amid these exciting festivities, we mustn’t forget about our dental health. Whether you’re planning to indulge in a big dinner or plan on picking at some more nutritious dishes this holiday season, our Plant City family dentist wants to make sure you get through without feeling any discomfort or complications related to poor oral hygiene habits. In this blog, Dr. Hussein Abdulameer of Inspired Dentistry of Plant City outlines some timely tips on how to have a happy, healthy smile this Thanksgiving Day!
1. Limit Sticky, Sugary Foods
To maintain healthy teeth, it’s important to steer clear of sticky, sugary foods. This includes treats like pies, cranberry sauce, and sweet potato casserole with marshmallows, as they tend to cling to your teeth, prolonging the exposure of sugar and leading to enamel erosion. Unfortunately, this continuous acidic environment can be detrimental to your oral health. While complete avoidance is ideal, our Plant City family dentist understands that Thanksgiving is once a year, and it’s ok to indulge in sweet, sticky treats in moderation.
2. Skip Snacking
To maintain the health of your teeth, it’s important to cut down on snacking. Constantly consuming sweets throughout the day prevents your teeth from getting a much-needed break from the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to tooth decay over time. To minimize this risk, try to limit your food intake to the three main meals and reduce snacking on sweets in between. By doing so, you’ll give your teeth the opportunity to recover from acid exposure after eating and promote better oral health.
3. Stay Hydrated
Because Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, our Plant City family dentist knows that it’s also a time to indulge. While alcoholic beverages, soda, and juice might be tempting, we recommend drinking plenty of water to stay properly hydrated.
Not only does water keep your body hydrated, but it also acts as an effective way to prevent bacteria build-up in your mouth, thereby promoting healthy mouth and teeth. You might be familiar with the term “dry mouth” and its detrimental impact on oral health. Fortunately, this condition can be avoided by ensuring you stay adequately hydrated. This brings us to our last Turkey Day tip…
4. Visit Our Plant City Family Dentist for a Holiday Check-Up
During the holidays, when families gather to spend quality time together, it’s important to remember to prioritize your oral health. If you haven’t done so already, make sure to schedule your six-month hygiene and dental check-up appointment. This routine visit serves as your primary defense against cavities and gum disease. Our skilled hygienists will thoroughly clean your teeth. At the same time, our experienced Plant City family dentist will diligently examine your mouth for any early signs of disease and avoid further damage and costs.
Has it been over six months since you or your loved ones last visited the dentist? If so, don’t hesitate to book a family dentistry appointment at Inspired Dentistry of Plant City. Call (813) 754-2605 or use our online booking tool to make arrangements.
