Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with your friends and family, and share a wonderful meal. However, often our holiday meals contain lots of starch and sugar, two ingredients that can cause tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX, dentist talks about how to help safeguard your smile while enjoying your favorite holiday foods!
The Link Between Sugar, Starch, and Cavities
Sugar and starch are two ingredients that are often found in our favorite holiday meals. Everything from stuffing and mashed potatoes to cobbler and pie. When we consume items high in these ingredients, they cling to the teeth and become stuck between them. Once there, bacteria will be able to break them down and elevate oral acidity, while also coating the teeth in plaque buildup. The buildup not only causes bad breath and teeth stains, but could also weaken and erode enamel to make cavities possible. Which is why we want to help you take actions to protect your smile during the holiday season!
Reducing Your Cavity Risk
To help safeguard your smile, be sure you and your children enjoy your sugary and starchy foods and drinks in moderation. You can add fresh fruit and vegetables to your plate to balance them out. In fact, some options like broccoli, carrots, and apples will help scrub away food particles and plaque as you consume them. You could also add a glass of water with your meal, as this helps rinse away trapped sugar and starch particles. Flossing after your meal could be beneficial too!
Along with floss after a meal, you also need to do this every evening as well, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. Brushing is also vital, and should be down when you wake up and then again before going to bed. Each session should last about two minutes. We also recommend a toothpaste with fluoride, as this helps strengthen the outer enamel and protect the teeth.
See Us Soon!
You can also take time to see us for a last checkup and cleaning of 2022! These visits allow us to diagnose any issues that need attention, so we can treat the smile and protect your teeth and gums. Our team will also clean the teeth, removing plaque and tartar to limit the risk of cavities, bad breath, teeth stains, and even issues like gingivitis and gum disease. If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR HOUSTON, TX DENTIST ABOUT AVOIDING TOOTH DECAY
Our team wants to help lower the risk of cavities for kids and adults alike. If you have questions or need to set up an appointment, contact your Houston, TX, dentist, Dr. Chan, by calling 713-926-8896.