Fall is in full swing and Thanksgiving is on the horizon. If you are enjoying the festivities, you want to make sure your smile benefits as well. Today we’d like to look at the traditional foods eaten this month and assess how healthy they are for you!

Turkey: Packed with protein, you are safe gobbling this main entree. Just be sure to floss afterward to get rid of any stuck particles.

Cranberry sauce: This yummy Thanksgiving tradition is tart, so watch out for sugary additives. It’s best eaten with a meal rather than snacking on alone because of its acidity, and it can also stain your pearly whites.

Yams: These sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins A and C. Good for gum tissue, if it’s not eaten with marshmallows. If you do eat candied yams, eat it with your meal and drink plenty of water to help rinse away the sugary residue.

Green Bean Casserole: This Thanksgiving favorite is packed with mushrooms and onions which are good for you, along with the green beans. This is another one to floss after eating.

Brussel Sprouts: These green mini-cabbages are loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, which are great for gum health, in addition to calcium which is good for your pearly whites.

Mashed Potatoes: These are loaded with potassium, Vitamin C, and B6. But they are also starchy, so rinse well after eating.

Pumpkin Pie: Packed with Vitamin A, your tooth enamel and gums benefit from the pumpkin content. However, it’s also typically loaded with sugar (especially with whipped cream), so be sure to eat it with the meal and brush and floss afterward.

If you are looking forward to enjoying your holidays while keeping a healthy smile, we encourage you to stay on top of your daily oral hygiene to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy and strong.

If you still have not taken advantage yet of your end-of-year dental insurance benefits, it’s not too late to have Dr. Julia Gorelik take a look at your smile. Our Gorelik Holistic Dentistry team in Charlotte, North Carolina is here for you for a healthy, beautiful smile all year round! Just call 704-553-1627 today.