We all love Thanksgiving Day and it’s one of our favorite holidays. It feels wonderful getting together with families and friends taking a day to remember all the memories that we all are thankful for. Now, what we’re really talking about is a delightful day set aside on the fourth Thursday every November when “No One Diets”. Why else would they call it Thanksgiving? “No one diets on Thanksgiving” says Erma Bombeck.
It’s a time to gain some perspective on the fact that we typically don’t consume 7000 calories in a day nor eat for hours together with all the non-stop nibbling that we all like to do during Thanksgiving. But it’s quite important to keep your oral health in mind. So, when you’re preparing your thanksgiving meal, make sure you include the food that is nutritious and beneficial for your teeth and gums. Similar to our bodies, our teeth and gums need many essential vitamins, minerals and lot of calcium to keep them strong and healthy.
Vitamins and minerals are necessary for better oral health, which includes vitamins A, C and D, minerals containing calcium and phosphorus. A traditional Thanksgiving Day meal incorporates these necessary nutrients which is also very delicious:
Turkey: The highest amount of phosphorus is found in Turkey, which is needed for tooth development. It rebuilds hydroxyapatite matrices (enamel) of the teeth which are damaged by acid-producing bacteria.
Sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes: Potatoes are great source of vitamins with a proper balance of nutrients. It’s not sticky to the teeth unlike other starchy foods which serve as a haven for bacteria.
Greens and winter vegetables: A Lot of green and winter season vegetables are rich in vitamins A and C, which can prevent soft, bleeding gums and protect against oral cancer.
Cranberries: Cranberries are rich in flavonoid and antioxidant that can hinder bacteria from sticking to the teeth and forming dental plaque.
Pumpkin pies: Pumpkins are a good source of minerals like copper, calcium and phosphorus, which protects gums, and the calcium helps in the development and re-mineralization of teeth.
A nutritious and well-balanced diet can be very helpful for the family members who are particularly vulnerable to oral health problems, including adults, women who are pregnant, children and seniors alike.
Many of us take oral health for granted but countless studies have shown that there is a strong connection between good oral health and good body health. Thanksgiving is even better when our loved ones are healthy and happy.
Bloomfield Dental center in Cerritos California always advise patients to pay attention to the following points,
- Stay away from Hard foods
- Stay away from staining foods
- Drink water throughout the day
- Brush, Floss and Rinse 3 times a day
A time to be thankful, celebrate and reflect – Bloomfield Dental Center Wishes you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.