Thanksgiving Feast. Good or Bad for Your Teeth?

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​Turkey, this main course is packed with protein. Which we’ll give it a thumbs up. 
However, turkey can be difficult to eat because it sometimes gets stuck between your teeth. That’s where flossing can help. Thus the star of the Thanksgiving table. Gobble it up!

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​Cranberry Sauce, this is a tasty Thanksgiving tradition.
However, cranberries are naturally tart, so sugar or sugar substitutes are often added to recipes. This side dish can be sticky, acidic and may temporarily stain your teeth. 
If eaten alone the sugar content, stickiness, tendency for the little berries to get stuck between your teeth and acidity make it one of those foods that needs to be eaten with a meal.

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​Yams are rich in Vitamins A and C, which help keep your gums healthy. They can also be prepared in many ways.
If candied, enjoy in moderation and drink plenty of water with your meal to help wash away any leftover food.

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​Green Bean Casserole. Green beans are healthy, mushrooms are healthy, onions are healthy. It can be sticky and little beans may get stuck in your teeth. Dig in! But you may want to keep a floss pick handy. This is good stuff!. 

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Say cheese! Macaroni and Cheese Many recipes call for cheese and milk. The calcium from these ingredients helps strengthen teeth. As with many feast-worthy foods, eat a sensible portion and break out your brush and floss later.

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​Mashed Potatoes and Gravy. Potatoes are an important dietary source of vitamin C, B6 and potassium. Potatoes are starchy, and cavity-causing bacteria loves the sugar that makes up starch.
If covered with gravy, the health benefits of the overall dish are diminished to some extent, but this is a holiday and only comes once a year :)

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​Pumpkin Pie. Pumpkin has Vitamin A, which helps keep your gums healthy and builds the hard outer shell of your teeth (enamel).
However, there’s the added sugar in the pie itself and whatever whipped topping you put on top.
This is usually a once-a-year treat, but dish it out after dinner. Eating sweets shortly after meals helps keep saliva flowing to wash away leftover food.

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​We hope you find this article useful this Holiday Season. 

Wigwam Dental and Lake Mead Dental wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.!

We are very grateful for you all. 

source: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/thanksgiving-slideshow?source=MorningHuddle
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