Dessert has long been a part of the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Pumpkin, apple, and pecan pie have long been celebrated as the ideal follow-up to a well-prepared turkey. Unfortunately, these pastries are full of sticky sugars that can get stuck to your teeth and feed the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Here is a list of teeth-friendly holiday dessert options to make sure your smile gets through Thanksgiving unscathed.
Keep It Sweet with Rice Pudding
If made the right way, rice pudding can be a wonderful holiday dessert that can replace pies and ice cream. This flavorful favorite has less sugar than most desserts. While you can buy it pre-made at the store, making it at home can be a fun way to have absolute control over its sugar content. When you’re whipping up your homemade batch of rice pudding, you can even substitute some of the sugar in the recipe with alternative sweeteners like cinnamon. With a little practice, you can find a combination of spices that compliments the other flavors of Thanksgiving perfectly.
Enjoy the Crunchy Texture of Apple Crisp
Apple crisp is a popular holiday comfort food, and it contains several ingredients that are actually beneficial to your dental health. While the walnuts that typically top this dish are rich in teeth-strengthening calcium, apples are renowned by dentists worldwide as “nature’s toothbrush.” Because of their crisp, crunchy, yielding texture, apples can scrape plaque and food debris away from your teeth without putting wear on the enamel. If prepared properly, apple crisp is a sweet treat that your teeth will thank you for.
Try Fruits Dipped in Dark Chocolate
Chocolate is the most popular candy in the world, and the good news is that it’s not the worst thing for your teeth. Because it isn’t hard or sticky, it won’t crack your teeth as you chew on it or stick to them afterward. It’s also easy to clean away from your smile. Dark chocolate is the best because it is low in sugar and high in antioxidants. If you want a crowd-pleasing teeth-healthy dessert for Thanksgiving, try dipping bananas, strawberries, or other fruits in dark chocolate.
Of course, even if your feast only includes foods that are good for your dental health, you will still need to practice proper oral hygiene and keep up with regular dental appointments to keep your teeth healthy. Enjoy your Thanksgiving feast this year, but make sure that your teeth are not any worse for the wear.
About the Practice
Advanced Dental Concepts is dedicated to excellence in all aspects of oral healthcare. Led by Drs. Danny Hayes, Shane Harmon, and Uyen Vu, the staff treats patients with top-tier customer service and delivers measurable results. Areas of expertise include preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on keeping your teeth healthy during the Thanksgiving feast, contact the Portage, IN office online or dial (219) 763-6878.