Thanksgiving is only a few days away, so you’re likely making sure you look good for the big event. Maybe you’ve gotten a haircut, plan to wear your best clothes, etc. With that in mind, you should also watch what you eat and drink on Turkey Day. The truth is that there are Thanksgiving foods that can stain your teeth, ruining your holiday smile. Read below to learn about them, including ways to respond to their tooth stains.
3 Thanksgiving Foods That Stain Teeth
While Thanksgiving foods are often tasty, many can stain teeth. You’d be wise to pay attention to what you eat on Turkey Day. In particular, watch out for the following:
Cranberry Sauce
Lots of folks love cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, but you should probably hold back a bit. This fruity topping can darken your teeth if you have too much at once. Because the sauce is darkly colored and packed with sugars and acids, it often discolors and erodes tooth enamel. That can lead to a purplish smile, something you don’t want in holiday photos.
Pie
As traditional as it is for Thanksgiving, pie won’t do your pearly whites any favors. Blueberry, cherry, and similar kinds can easily stain your teeth due to their strong colors, acids, and sugars. If you eat a bunch of slices, your smile could get discolored and put off family members.
Wine
While you may like to drink wine on Thanksgiving, limit your intake this year. Red wines can take a huge toll on your teeth, darkening them with various stain agents. Their acids would also put you at a higher risk of tooth decay. That being the case, don’t go overboard; only let yourself have a glass or two.
How to Fix Thanksgiving Tooth Stains
If your Thanksgiving will have foods that stain teeth, try using the tips below:
- Drink Lots of Water – Remember to drink lots of water during your Thanksgiving meals. The liquid will rinse your mouth of stain agents and reduce your risk of discoloration.
- Brush After Eating – After Thanksgiving eating, brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste. Doing so will keep meal-related tooth stains from setting in.
- See a Dentist – If you can’t prevent Thanksgiving tooth stains, consider seeing your dentist for a post-holiday treatment. They could quickly remove your smile’s stains with a teeth whitening session.
Talk to your dental provider if you’d like to learn more about dealing with Thanksgiving tooth stains. They’d be glad to help out!
About the Author
Dr. Richard Fossum is a certified dentist in Temple, TX, having earned his DDS from the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry. He and his team are always here to help patients’ smiles shine and thrive! To that end, Dr. Fossum offers preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments tailored to your needs. That means you can trust him for everything from dental checkups to teeth whitening. Today, Dr. Fossum practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (254)-778-3900.