The traditional Thanksgiving meal can be full of unhealthy menu options. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the holiday and eat your share of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and dessert. It just means that you should watch what you eat because many holiday favorites can have long-term effects on your healthy smile. During the holidays, people tend to eat more fattening foods and rich desserts than usual, so consider occasionally substituting sugar-rich sides and desserts with sautéed vegetables or pie with fruit. Even though a Thanksgiving feast is just one meal, you’re likely to eat similar foods around the other holidays that will likely damage your teeth. That’s why watching what you eat and ensuring proper nutrition is essential this time of year.
Your body needs the nutrients of a healthy diet in order to remain in good health. If your body is lacking in these nutrients, you mouth will have a difficult time resisting oral problems such as infection. An unhealthy diet will lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Cavities are likely to form if the foods you eat are high in carbohydrates, sugars, and starches, which contribute to the addition of plaque. While most foods contain sugars, read food labels to control the amount of sugar in your diet.
In order to maintain good health and wellness and a healthy smile this holiday season, consider these tips for a healthy diet.
- Turn foods with a high sugar count into a treat rather than a meal.
- View the five major food groups and eat a balanced diet from those lists of foods.
- For snacking, choose items such as cheese, raw vegetables, fruit, and yogurt.
Keep your teeth healthy this holiday season and avoid some of those unneeded sweets. Call C&C Dentistry today and schedule an appointment for a checkup.