Thanksgiving is the perfect time to spend with the people you care about the most. You can enjoy stories, learn about one another, and enjoy home-cooked meals.
The problem is that Thanksgiving can also invite dental cavities, plaque and tartar.
These unfortunate things can wreak havoc upon your mouth. They can damage your teeth and hurt your gums. They can cause pain and plenty of other problems.
Let’s explore some advice to ensure that your mouth stays healthy this Thanksgiving.
1. Don’t Fall Asleep Without Brushing
If you fully enjoy Thanksgiving meals, then you may experience a rising level of blood sugar. This can make you feel sleepy, which in turn can coax you to nap directly after eating Thanksgiving dinner.
The dental danger in this is that you’re giving the germs in your mouth time to metabolize the food left in it. They multiply, stick to your teeth, and proceed exponentially more acid. This puts unnecessary wear on your teeth, and can be the breaking point for the formation of irreversible cavities.
Remember to brush and floss your teeth before you go to sleep to keep your mouth in perfect shape. If you haven’t seen a general dentist to receive a teeth cleaning, then consider scheduling an appointment with your local dentist office after Thanksgiving.
2. Avoid Bones and Other Hard Substances
Bones, popcorn kernels and other hard food substances may be inviting to chew. The problem is that the excessive force involved in chewing these things can really hurt your teeth.
This added force can crack, chip and fracture teeth. This can lead to aesthetic imperfections to the need to have teeth extracted. This seemingly harmless action of chewing on tough substances can have grave consequences for your teeth.
The simple advice here is to avoid chewing on these things when you can.
3. Remember to Enjoy Yourself
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time when you can relax. Keep this in mind, especially if you have one or two relatives that might want to dump their woes on you.
Stress can cause everything from an overemphasized bite to teeth grinding. That’s why you should do your best to deal with stressful people or, failing the ability to do so, avoid them completely.
Remember to enjoy yourself during Thanksgiving. Happiness can detract from stress, which can reduce your chances of having dental complications.
Don’t Forget to See Your Dentist
Thanksgiving isn’t an excuse to slack on your oral hygiene, as a general dentist might tell you. The amount of dental problems that can arise from doing so can make your head spin.
If you haven’t seen your dentist in some time, then now is the perfect time to schedule a teeth cleaning and checkup at your local dentist office. Your teeth will thank you if you do.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to inspect your teeth, look for any potential problems, and help you keep your mouth healthy and happy.
