7 Festive Treats Your Smile Will Be Grateful For

Treat your smile this holiday.

While there is an abundance of food during Thanksgiving, not all of your favorites will be liked by your teeth. Sure, pumpkin may be good for your health, but not necessarily when it is in the form of pumpkin pie, due to its sugar content. But you don’t need to avoid all foods this fall. There are plenty of smile-happy foods that your mouth will appreciate. Dr. Stephen J. Spencer, DDS, has listed some of his favorite festive treats your smile will be grateful for.

Why can Thanksgiving be tough on teeth?

Thanksgiving can be hard on teeth for a variety of reasons. One, there is an abundance of sweet treats and sugary drinks. Anything that is high in sugar, or acidic, can cause harm to your teeth if they are exposed to these foods and beverages for an extended period of time. The longer your teeth are exposed to sugars and acids, the more likely they are to wear down the enamel on your teeth, which can lead to cavities.

Grazing all day on food doesn’t help either. With all kinds of food available at a whim, you are more likely to graze on food all day, meaning your teeth will constantly be exposed to sugars and acids that can eat away at teeth’s enamel.

While it may sound like your Thanksgiving harvest is all bad, there are plenty of delicious and healthy foods that can make your smile happy throughout the holidays.

Enjoy some smile-friendly Thanksgiving treats.

Looking for some smile-friendly Thanksgiving eats and treats? Here are some that Dr. Spencer recommends.

1. Turkey Rollups: Let’s face it, there’s probably a lot of turkey going around this Thanksgiving. Turkey rollups are easy to make and customize. Start with a whole wheat tortilla and add a slice or two of turkey, low-fat cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Then roll up and eat. Want to use up some leftovers? Add in some stuffing left over from Thanksgiving dinner. The cheese in this treat adds calcium, which is essential to help keep teeth strong and healthy.
2. Popcorn: Always a crowd favorite, popcorn is a healthy snack when made in an air popper without the oil or butter. Popcorn is rich in fiber, making it a great choice as a snack. Popcorn is also a blank canvas, so you can make it savory or sweet. Look on your spice rack for inspiration, like taco seasoning or garlic powder for a savory treat. A touch of cinnamon and allspice can make popcorn your new favorite holiday go-to treat. Don’t have an air popper? You can make healthy popcorn in the microwave.
3. Cranberry Jalapeno Dip: Looking for a festive and healthy dip? Try this cranberry jalapeno dip. Cranberries are full of antioxidants and also contain plaque and bacteria fighting compounds. While you can choose to serve this dip with tortilla chips, substitute whole wheat crackers or pita squares for a healthier dipping option.
4. Whole Wheat Waffles: Waffles can be a beloved breakfast item, dessert, or snack. But how do you make them healthy? Make a waffle with whole wheat! If you want to add more healthy elements, throw in some sliced fruit for an extra dose of healthy vitamins, or even some nut butter for extra protein. The great thing about waffles is that they can be made in advance and frozen, and then you can warm them up when needed. Want to make them more holiday themed? Add some pumpkin or warm spices, like cinnamon and all spice.
5. Healthy Gingerbread Cookies: Gingerbread cookies are a staple around the holiday season, but how do you make them healthy? First, replace the white flour with whole wheat flour. Next, use a natural sweetener, like Stevia or maple syrup, instead of refined sugar. You can also keep these cookies on the healthier side by choosing not to decorate them with icing. Instead, use pieces of fruit to decorate them, like blueberries for eyes and strawberries for the mouth.
6. Turkey Vegetable Tray: Vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy diet and beneficial for teeth, so think about creating a Turkey Vegetable Tray for this year’s Thanksgiving spread. Crunchy vegetables can act like nature’s toothbrush and help to sweep away plaque and bacteria as you chew, so make sure your turkey tray includes celery, carrots, and radishes. Kids get a kick out of eating different parts of the turkey, and if you include different colors of bell peppers as feathers, this masterpiece will be the gobble of the town!
7. Fruit Skewer Turkey: Just like the turkey vegetable tray, the fruit skewer turkey is full of fresh (and colorful) fruit, which is full of tons of essential vitamins for a healthy lifestyle. The fruit skewer turkey allows you to customize what type of fruit to include. You can use just berries, just melon, or add a variety of fruit to make your turkey.

Don’t forget to stay hydrated.

Water is the most important substance you can put into your body, so don’t skimp on drinking some H2O! Drinking water is also healthy for your teeth and gums. Drinking water during and after meals can help wash away sugar and bacteria, which can help prevent cavities. Water helps to also balance the pH of your saliva.

Bonus Tip: Remember to brush and floss!

It can be hard to keep up with your oral health routine during the holidays, but it is essential to brush and floss your teeth after meals to ensure dental health. Dr. Spencer recommends waiting 20 to 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth so that your saliva has a chance to do its job, which is to help eliminate some of the bad bacteria in your mouth. Brushing after you eat can help remove particles of food that get stuck in your teeth.

Give your teeth a break, and give thanks.

There can be many choices available to you during Thanksgiving, but you don’t have to give up all sweets. Choose healthier options when they are available, and enjoy your sweets in moderation. And if you think you haven’t seen Dr. Spencer in a while, contact our office today to schedule a dental checkup after the holidays!