Thanksgiving dinner is a great time to catch up with family and old friends. The traditional spread is full of delicious foods like turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole. However, some items on a typical Thanksgiving menu can cause stains or discoloration in your teeth. Here are a few of these items and how you can keep your teeth safe from stains when enjoying your holiday meal.
Don’t Let Cranberry Sauce Lead to Whiteness Loss
Cranberry sauce is a traditional accouterment at Thanksgiving dinner. While everyone knows this reddish-purple stuff shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near carpets, furniture, or white shirts, many people are unaware that this fruity preparation can stain their teeth. Cranberry sauce is high and acid and pigment, making it able to wear away your enamel and leave colorful molecules embedded in it. If you can’t skip eating cranberry sauce this Thanksgiving, be sure to wash it down with a tall glass of water and brush your teeth after dinner.
Wine Is Fine, but on Your Teeth, It Can Leave Signs
Wine can be a delightful beverage when paired with your Thanksgiving feast, but it is notorious for causing stains in clothes, carpets, and furniture. While red wine has the worst reputation in that regard, white wine can leave its mark as well. Unfortunately, the pigments and acids found in wines can lead to stains and discoloration in your teeth. When you’re enjoying the fermented fruit of the vine this Thanksgiving, be sure to limit your intake and make sure that you wash it down with water.
Coffee Is Nice, but Your Teeth Might Pay the Price
Many people enjoy a nice cup of coffee after dinner, but this beverage isn’t known for being great for your teeth. It is slightly acidic, full of pigment, and contains caffeine that can lead to dry mouth. When your saliva isn’t flowing normally, these acids and pigments can do more damage because they cling to your teeth for longer than normal. Remember to drink plenty of water and brush your teeth after drinking coffee.
While these items can be risky for your dental health, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy them in moderation. Just remember to drink plenty of water when you do so and to practice excellent oral hygiene afterward, and your teeth should stay pearly white over the holidays.
About the Practice
Advanced Dental Concepts provides the best dentistry available in Dyer, IN. Led by Drs. Danny Hayes, Christine Mousa, Shane Harmon, and Uyen Vu, the staff provides high-quality dental treatments with excellent customer service. Areas of expertise include preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on preventing dental stains during the holidays, contact the office online or dial (219) 322-3418.