Thanksgiving Food Your Teeth (and Your South End of Boston Dentists) Will Love!

Our patients are always intrigued with what foods to avoid or what to eat more of when it comes to their oral health. Therefore, our South End of Boston dentists compiled a health oriented list of foods to enjoy on Thanksgiving that will have a great benefit on your oral health and be delicious for your whole family!

Thanksgiving is not just a normal Thursday in November.? Most people sit around eating, drinking, and watching football all day (at least that has become the norm in Boston). So, as you begin to prepare your menu for thanksgiving make sure to include healthy food that is also beneficial to your oral hygiene.

Vitamins and minerals are necessary for better oral health, which include vitamins A, C, and D, and minerals containing calcium and phosphorus.? A traditional Thanksgiving Day feast often includes many essentials vitamins and minerals anyway (and they are delicious).? Here is a breakdown so you can plan your meal accordingly.

Turkey

Not only is turkey often the star of your Thanksgiving feast but it is also high in phosphorus, which is necessary in the production of tooth enamel. Acid producing bacteria can destroy teeth enamel so the nutrients in Turkey can be a good way to stop or at least slow the damage.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamins and nutrients. The fact that sweet potato is not a sticky starch (that can cling to your teeth and support bacterial growth) makes it an amazing side for Thanksgiving.

Assorted Vegetables

Many greens and seasonal vegetables (bell peppers, dark leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, and peas) are rich in vitamins A and C, which can prevent tender, soft, bleeding gums and protect against oral cancer.

Cranberries

Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids that can fight against bad bacteria from being able to stick to your teeth (which leads to dental plaque and eventually causes cavities).

Pumpkin pie

Pumpkins naturally contain minerals like copper, calcium, and phosphorus, which protect your gums.? They also contain calcium which helps in the development and remineralization of teeth.? However, pumpkin pie can be high in sugar content, therefore you need to brush right after eating to prevent any potential cavities from forming.

While some of us in the South End of Boston are more susceptible to oral health issues, that doesn’t mean the whole family won’t enjoy your meal made up of these holiday favorites.? This holiday season remember that oral health plays an important role in your overall health.? So take this Thanksgiving meal as a time to focus on family, food, and health and celebrate and reflect with those close to you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

*Here are some great recipes to go along with our Boston dentists’ suggestions