Thanksgiving is a holiday most families look forward to each year. With everything from turkey to dressing to cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, everyone from the oldest to the youngest can get excited about the yearly feast. But what kind of effect does it have on your little one’s teeth? Let a children’s dentist in DuPont explain how certain foods can impact their oral health.
Gobble, Gobble: It Is Turkey Time
While this delicious main dish is full of protein, which is an important part of any well-balanced diet, it can also be difficult trying to get out of your teeth. Make sure your child is flossing in-between their teeth before they go to bed to remove any left behind turkey that might be trying to hide in these tight crevices.
Canned or Homemade: The Good and Bad of Cranberry Sauce
The only “good” thing about this dish is that it is usually found at the table each year but unfortunately, it is full of sugar, and that can spell disaster for your little one’s teeth. When sugar sits on the teeth and gums for too long, it can lead to tooth decay and the formation of cavities, so make sure they brush their teeth for two full minutes after eating.
The Thanksgiving Classic: Green Bean Casserole
Not only are green beans extremely healthy, but the other ingredients found in a green bean casserole, mushrooms and onions, are also great for your diet. But just like turkey, these tasty treats can be sticky and get lodged between teeth, so make sure you and your child are flossing well.
You Cannot Have Just One Spoonful: Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Yes, potatoes are great for making sure you have enough vitamin C, B6, and potassium in your diet, but when you consider how starchy they are, this can open your child up to the possibility of cavities. Sugar and starch are two things bacteria loves. Should you allow your child to consume mashed potatoes and gravy, make sure they are eating them as part of their meal. This way, their salivary glands will be working at optimal speed, flushing out the left-behind sugar and starch.
This special holiday only comes around once a year, so let your little one grab a taste of all the wonderful dishes you and your family enjoy. As long as you make sure they brush their teeth for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, floss between their teeth, and use an ADA-approved mouthwash before bed, their teeth should remain decay and disease-free this holiday season. And do not forget, scheduling an appointment with their dentist in DuPont can ensure their mouth is without problems and sparkling clean before your Thanksgiving feast.
About the Practice
Dupont Family Dentistry believes in the importance of preventive care and optimal oral health. Caring for even the youngest member of your family is important, as their teeth are still growing and developing. As you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, remember how all the delicious foods you will be eating can negatively impact both you and your child’s smiles. In combination with regular dental checkups and cleanings, making sure your little one’s oral hygiene routine remains the same is imperative to keeping decay and disease away this time of year. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you prepare your child for a wonderful and decay-free holiday , contact us at (253) 964-7000.