Thanksgiving is one of those days where it’s acceptable to indulge in food without guilt. Even so, we suggest limiting the intake of certain foods that are hazardous to your teeth. Here’s a of list these not-so good foods and the Thanksgiving food alternatives we recommend in their stead.
Candied Yams
Candied yams are laden with marshmallows, which combines sugar and stickiness, a deadly combination for your teeth. The sticky texture means the sugar remains on your teeth for prolonged periods where it serves as food for bacteria. Furthermore, some varieties may contain food dye that, according to our cosmetic dentists, stains teeth.
Eat This Instead: Settle for roasted whole yams, which contain a heap of vitamins A and C, as well as important minerals.
Store-Bought Stuffing
The stuffing you buy in stores contains too much white bread and butter. The former is no better than sugar. Too many refined carbs of this type promotes cavities and oral surgery.
Eat This Instead: Create your own homemade stuffing consisting of sautéed celery, onions, and other crispy vegetables. The crunchy texture helps the mouth produce saliva.
Apple Pie
Pie of any kind contains sugar. This is especially true of apple pie, which contains sticky syrup. The same goes for blueberry, peach, and most other fruit pies for that matter.
Eat This Instead: Settle for pumpkin pie. While not exactly healthy, it’s “less bad” since it at least contains a rich source of vitamin A, calcium, and iron. The calcium is beneficial for teeth mineralization. Still, keep the portion to a minimum.
Seek Out Thanksgiving Food Alternatives this Holiday
As we near the holidays, people tend to relax their diets. This is no reason, though, to hold off a visit to the family dentist. Plan a visit to Mukilteo Dental Arts before or after the holidays. Thanksgiving food alternatives ensure an equally enjoyable meal without compromising dental health.
Pre- and Post-Holiday Dental Exams
General family dentistry for Mukilteo, Everett, Lynnwood, Edmonds & Mill Creek