Fall has arrived, bringing annual celebrations around popular holidays like Thanksgiving. If you’re like nearly 91% of Americans this time of year, you’re eagerly making plans to visit family or cook the perfect dish to share.
Although this is a great time to share memorable meals with family and friends, don’t forget that your dinner habits impact your oral health. Indulging in too many sweet treats can result in cavities, gum disease, injuries, or other issues if you don’t take the proper preventative measures. With that in mind, keep reading to learn about three desserts to enjoy that can support your smile rather than harm it!
Tasty Treat #1: Chocolate Covered Strawberries
No one wants to have a dental emergency over the holiday, but if you bite into an overly hard piece of candy, you could chip or crack a tooth. You might think chewier choices like taffy and caramel are safer, but these are notorious for loosening or dislodging restorations like tooth-colored fillings and dental crowns.
Chocolate is much safer because it’s soft, so it doesn’t damage your grin, but it still contains sugar that attracts unhealthy bacteria. To limit your consumption and support your smile, why not make some chocolate-covered strawberries to enjoy? Not only do you get to indulge your sweet tooth, but this fruit contains vitamin C to support healthy gums.
Tasty Treat #2: Specialty Cheeses
Not everyone prefers sugary desserts; some people find savory snacks much more fulfilling. Thankfully, many gatherings this time of year include trays of finger foods, like sliced or cubed cheeses, that are easy to eat. This dairy product contains calcium, a key ingredient your body needs to build strong teeth and bones.
If you’re tired of the usual options, you can find an assortment of specialty cheeses to enjoy this autumn.
Tasty Treat #3: Pumpkin Pie
After Thanksgiving dinner, Apple and pecan pies are very common dessert offerings full of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other festive autumnal spices to please your tastebuds. However, they’re also full of sugar that works in tandem with germs in your mouth to erode your enamel or penetrate your gum tissue.
Fortunately, pumpkin pie is also incredibly popular this time of year and contains much less sugar. As a bonus, it also contains magnesium and Vitamin A that reinforce your enamel and promote healthy connective tissues.
Making more conscientious dessert decisions this Thanksgiving can help safeguard your smile all season!
About the Practice
At Beck Dental Care of Columbia, you and your loved ones benefit from a team of dentists who are committed to helping you improve your oral health. With 10+ years of combined experience, they are comfortable with people of all ages and provide a wide array of services. Their welcoming environment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance your comfort and produce accurate, long-lasting results. Whether you need basic preventative care or developed a cavity or other issue, they can help. You can request an appointment on the website or call (931) 388-8452.