Thanksgiving is a time where people allow themselves to indulge a little more than usual. While this may feel good at the time, it’s also important to be aware of the impact on your oral health.

It’s all about balance - there are ways you can enjoy yourself and take care of your teeth. Below are a few tips to bear in mind. If you follow these, your dentist will be happy, and a healthy mouth will be one more thing to be thankful for!

Eat your vegetables

Not only are vegetables a delicious Thanksgiving side, but they’re also likely to be the healthiest foods on the table! From a dental perspective, they are the best natural defense for your teeth. The amount of chewing they require leads to the production of saliva – this keeps your mouth clean and fights bacteria. On top of that, they are rich in fiber and key minerals, which keeps your teeth and gums strong.

Choose meals over snacks

With Thanksgiving, there is often a risk of dipping into foods at regular intervals. This all-day snacking habit can be harmful to your teeth as they are being regularly exposed to bacteria. This can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It’s not good for your waistline either! Make a conscious effort to set a mealtime and stick to it. Around thirty minutes after you finish eating, be sure to brush your teeth – not only is this good dental practice, but you will find this stops you from further snacking.

Stay hydrated

This is good advice every day of the year, not just on Thanksgiving. However, it becomes especially relevant at this time, due to the large amount of food people are likely to consume. Drinking water after a big meal helps clean food out of your mouth and prevents bacteria from building up. While it may be tempting to have alcohol with your meal, or coffee after it, these can lead to staining, so try and stick to water.

It’s also a useful tool for people who don’t want to eat too much but think they’ll find it hard to resist. Having water during your meal prevents overeating, and also leads to a smoother digestion process. This will stop you from feeling bloated or constipated.

Go for cheese

Any cheese or dairy products are good for your teeth. You can tuck into dishes that contain cheese, or eat them as standalone blocks or slices. Either way, your teeth will be strengthened thanks to the presence of calcium. Cheese also helps balance the PH level of your mouth – leading to less harmful acid. However, be careful of melted cheese, as it can get stuck in between teeth and become difficult to clean.

Avoid starch

We all know that sugary foods, such as those found in Thanksgiving desserts, aren’t good for your mouth. But starchy foods can be just as dangerous, as they convert to sugar. This causes bacteria, which means your best bet is to stay away from starchy foods. Examples include mashed potatoes and chips.

Chew gum – but make it sugar-free!

Not everybody feels comfortable going to brush and floss their teeth immediately after a meal, especially if they are at someone else’s home. Therefore, it’s a good idea to carry sugar-free chewing gum with you. These can be used immediately after your meal, and help get rid of food particles stuck between your teeth and under the gum line. Much like vegetables, these also help with the production of saliva, which helps fight bacteria. However, make sure you opt for the sugar-free versions – anything which contains sugar will do you more harm than good.

These are some of the ways that you can ensure you have a fun yet healthy Thanksgiving. Along with these, you should continue to follow good oral hygiene – brushing and flossing twice a day – while also booking in regular visits to the dentist.