Oral Health during Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just one day away, perhaps the food is already being started so it is ready in time for the holiday meal. As you have probably heard throughout your life, it is important to eat and drink things that are good for your body; however, do we really give much thought to what is good for our teeth? Not as much. Tomorrow, give some consideration to the food on the table and how it can be good for your teeth and gums.

We need to consume necessary vitamins and minerals for optimal oral health and those include calcium, vitamin A, C, and D, and phosphorous. Looking at a traditional Thanksgiving menu, many of the foods on the table contain these nutrients.

• Turkey- this delicious main part of the meal is high in phosphorous and that is needed for healthy dental development. Phosphorous also helps rebuild the enamel on your teeth, which is damaged by bacteria that produce acid. 
• Sweet & mashed potatoes- These items have many essential vitamins and other nutrients in them. They do not stick to your teeth so bacteria will have no place to grow with potatoes. 
• Green vegetables- Green vegetables are great for getting your vitamins A and C; vitamins A and C are what help you gums from becoming soft and bleeding and also prevent your gums from developing cancer. 
• Cranberries- These little red guys, or sauce, have flavonoids which slow down or even stop the growth of bacteria trying to grow on your teeth and forming plaque. 
• Pumpkin pie- Yes, I was excited to know that this delicious treat contains vitamin C and calcium. 

So dig in, my friends! Enjoy your amazing Thanksgiving meal, wherever that may be. And remember, try to brush after eating or at least using some floss or a tooth pick to unstick any food. 

If you are looking for a dentist near Park Ridge, then contact Rubino Dentistry - a Park Ridge dentist. We offer many services as well as teeth in one day and dental implants.