Foods to Avoid This Thanksgiving

So much of Thanksgiving revolves around sharing good food with the friends and family you love. We all have our favorite dishes that we feel like a Thanksgiving spread wouldn’t be complete without. The fact is that some of these foods are better for our dental health than others. We don’t want to put a damper on your festivities. However, here’s some advice for what foods you might want to steer clear of for the sake of your smile.

Cranberry Sauce

Some people love it and some people hate it, but in terms of your dental health, cranberry sauce isn’t a friend. Whether you make the sauce from scratch or you buy a canned version, most likely it’s laden with sugar. And we all know that too much sugar can leave some serious cavities on your teeth! If you can’t say goodbye to the cranberry sauce this season, then we recommend making a low-sugar version of it yourself.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes on their own are great because they’re rich with vitamins that promote gum and teeth health. The problem comes when you throw a hefty layer of sugary marshmallows on top, and everything is coated in a sweet, sticky syrup. Sweet potatoes pack plenty of natural sweetness themselves, so try and avoid adding any extra sugar if you’re including them in your Thanksgiving meal.

Fruit Cake

While fruit is considered a healthy food, you might be surprised to hear that dried fruit is a different story. As with the other items mentioned previously, the problem is in the amount of sugar. On top of that, dried fruits have a sticky texture which means that the sugar can linger on your teeth for even longer. Since fruit cake is all about the dried fruit, you might go for another dessert alternative.

Healthy Holiday Smiles at Wagner & Langston Family Dentistry

What you eat has a profound effect on the health of your smile. So does regular preventive care! If you haven’t been in for a professional cleaning and exam in the last six months, give us a call. Or if your smile needs a cosmetic boost for the holidays, we have some solutions! Our compassionate team loves to help our patients achieve their best and most beautiful smiles. We wish you a happy Thanksgiving, and we look forward to seeing you sometime soon!