Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends and food. For those with braces, it is also a time for caution. From eating sticky foods to chewing hard foods, there are several things you need to keep in mind so that Thanksgiving doesn't turn into a Thanksgiving nightmare.
Getting your teeth cleaned and examined by a dentist or dental hygienist every six months is recommended by the American Dental Association. This helps you prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, it is also important to remember that regular professional cleanings only remove up to 80% of the plaque on your teeth. Brushing and flossing at home to remove the remaining plaque is imperative to your oral health. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you're preparing your Thanksgiving dinner!
- When prepping food like mashed potatoes, ensure that all utensils are clean so that bacteria aren't transferred onto foods that will later be eaten. Don't forget to wash your hands as well!
- It's good to get into the habit of flossing and brushing your teeth at least twice per day, and while you might take a few extra days off around a holiday like Thanksgiving, it's still important to keep up your routines of other days.
- After eating a meal, it is helpful to give your teeth a good rinse with water. Drinking water between bites and eating an apple after your meal is also helpful in keeping your teeth strong and healthy.
- If you're hosting this year's Thanksgiving celebration at your own house, consider asking your guests to bring their favorite recipes to share with everyone. This will reduce the number of dishes that you will have to prepare!
- If you are hiding any painful or broken tooth during the big feast, be sure to do a quick check in the mirror before biting into any turkey to make sure that no one has noticed anything out of place.
- Lastly, don't forget to schedule your professional cleaning and checkup after your Thanksgiving holiday is over! Even if there may not be any pain present with teeth that are sensitive, it is much wiser to be proactive with your dental health than to wait to have an issue taken care of until you feel discomfort and pain. Give us a call to schedule your appointment today!
Our dentists at Rand Center for Dentistry in Flanders, NJ, provide the best dentistry solutions and the best dental care for patients. To learn more and schedule an appointment, call (973) 370-8917.
