Give Thanks for Good Food and Good Oral Health

Thanksgiving is a time when we are all reminded of the many things we are thankful for. On Thanksgiving Day with lots of plentiful dishes and treats, we are extra thankful for family gatherings and delicious food. But, don't forget to be thankful for good oral health, too!

Just as Halloween comes with oral side effects, Thanksgiving can wreak havoc on your oral health. It can, however, also be a great time to improve your dental status. With the right menu, you can encourage strong teeth and gums, so why not start on this Thanksgiving Day?

A balanced and diverse menu provides many nutrients to strengthen your teeth and gums, making them less susceptible to disease, including tooth decay.

When planning your holiday menu, include foods that are nutritious and beneficial - not only for your overall health but for your oral health. Essential vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal oral health include calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamins A, C and D. Here's some ideas:

• TURKEY
• High in phosphorus -- great for tooth development! Phosphorus is stored in the teeth and bones and is instrumental in helping your body balance and absorb calcium and magnesium. While turkey is often a staple ofThanksgiving Day dinners, seafood and veal also contain high amounts of phosphorous.
• VEGETARIAN THANKSGIVING?
• Opt for beans, grains and nuts for roasting, raw nibbles, or to incorporate into casseroles or pasta dishes. Beans, grains and nuts provide protein, but are also rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. 
• POTATOES
• Have a proper balance of vitamins and nutrients.
• Milk products in mashed potatoes and other potato dishes provide calcium, which helps strengthen tooth enamel.
• GREEN & WINTER VEGGIE SIDE DISHES
• Green beans, asparagus, butternut squash -- great sources of vitamin A and C which help prevent soft, bleeding gums and help protect against oral cancer.
• CRANBERRIES
• Contain flavonoids that can hinder bacteria from sticking to the teeth and forming dental plaque.
• PUMPKIN PIE
• While the bad (sugar!) might outweigh the good here...at least there is a good!  Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C and supplies the calcium needed in the development and re-mineralization of teeth. 

What is your favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving?

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How can dental floss help you (and your turkey!) this Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and…floss. Though dental floss is widely known as an essential product for keeping teeth and gums healthy, many have never put this simple tool to work in the kitchen. It has many uses. Try these tips from Delta Dental of Michigan for using floss to help prepare the perfect Thanksgiving dinner:

TIE UP YOUR TURKEY!

It's 4:30 AM on Thanksgiving and you just realized that you need something called "kitchen twine" to tie up your turkey - or chicken. Before you head out to the grocery, hit up the medicine cabinet for some unwaxed dental floss. You can tie up the turkey and be back in bed in no time. Because, after all, we know you really weren't using that floss for your teeth, anyway! It's never too late (or early!) for that New Year's Resolution! 

CUT THE CAKES - OR CHEESE (no pun intended)
Use dental floss to cut cakes, especially delicate and sticky ones that tend to adhere to a knife. Just hold a length of the floss taut over the cake and then slice away, moving it slightly side to side as you cut through the cake. You can also use dental floss to cut small blocks of cheese cleanly.

BAKING SHEET MAGIC!
Easily cut refrigerated dough using taut floss. Remove baked goods without crumbling by sliding floss between them and the baking sheet.

Wellness for your whole body including your smile starts with prevention and good nutrition. Our doctors and team members at Mortenson Family Dental wish you and your family an enjoyable, nutritious, stress-free Holiday Season. We all have so much to be thankful for!

5 Thanksgiving Dental Tips

Many a man, woman, and child cracks a tooth over the holiday thinking their teeth are made of steel.  Squirrels were made for that, not humans. Truth is, under that hard enamel shell is a very sensitive nerve running through a root surrounded by soft living tissue.  Crack the shell, and I'm not talking about the nut, and welcome pain.  Yes, cracking a tooth is an intensely painful experience resulting in the urgent need for a root canal and crown. Be smart, use a nutcracker!

No explanation really needed, right?

 Skip the caramel popcorn balls... crack the cusp of a tooth, crack a molar to the root - there is no dental challenge too hard for a caramelized popcorn ball.

The single greatest cause of dental decay is food (usually sugar) left on or around the tooth.  Brushing and flossing is an obvious solution, it removes excess food and cleans the surface of the tooth. But who remembers to bring their toothbrush and dental floss to a Thanksgiving dinner party, other than dentists. You do! :)

  We know, it's not Christmas yet, but the day after Thanksgiving someone will bring out candy canes and start decorating your Christmas tree. Don't give in to the temptation to bite down on that candy cane.

Post credits: http://www.westsomervilledental.com/blog/?Tag=thanksgiving%20dental%20tips