Thanksgiving is a time to recognize all we have to be grateful for, enjoy the company of friends and family, and partake in a delicious feast. While a traditional Thanksgiving spread can have plenty of tasty and nutritious foods that help your teeth stay healthy, there are a few items that can lead to oral health problems if you aren’t careful. Here’s a brief guide to a few Thanksgiving favorites that can cause dental stains as well as a few tips for keeping your teeth shiny and beautiful.
Which Thanksgiving Items Can Cause Dental Stains?
A few popular Thanksgiving foods and beverages can cause dental stains and discoloration if they are consumed immoderately or without proper oral hygiene. A few items to be wary of include:
- Red wine: This tart beverage is renowned for its beautiful color, but it is heavy with stain-causing pigments and tannins as well as enamel-eroding acid. Frequent exposure to red wine can leave your smile with a purplish color.
- Coffee: Many people enjoy coffee during the holiday season, but this dark beverage is slightly acidic and can cause yellowish dental stains.
- Cranberry sauce: Berries are rich in stain-causing pigments, and this traditional condiment of Thanksgiving can lead to unsightly dental discoloration.
- Pie: While most pies are already high in sugar, pies made from berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or cherries are also heavy with pigments and dyes that can leave your teeth discolored.
- Balsamic vinegar: This light and tasty dressing is acidic and darkly colored, meaning it can cause dental stains.
How Can I Prevent Stains During the Thanksgiving Season?
Luckily, a few good habits can vastly reduce your likelihood of developing new dental stains over Thanksgiving weekend. When you enjoy foods or beverages that are high in acid, pigments, dyes, or tannins, drinking a glass of water can help wash away stain-causing agents and keep you hydrated enough for healthy saliva flow. You can also prevent stains as well as oral infections like gum disease and tooth decay by sticking to an excellent daily oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash.
What if My Teeth Are Already Stained?
If your teeth are already stained, your dentist may be able to help with teeth whitening treatment in the form of either a take-home kit that can be completed over two weeks or an in-office procedure that can be finished in about an hour. Unlike store-bought dental bleaching products, these professional solutions are customized to fit each patient so they can deliver remarkable results with minimal risk of injury. With proper care and hygiene, the results of your professional teeth whitening treatment can last for up to three years.
Thanksgiving is for forming memories, not new dental stains. By practicing excellent oral hygiene and smart eating habits, you can keep your smile beautifully shiny for many years to come.
About the Practice
Salt Run Family Dentistry offers excellent oral healthcare to people of all ages in St. Augustine. Led by Drs. Mickey Leth, Bert Tavary, and Nicole Dunn, the staff sees to each patient receiving effective treatments and outstanding customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening treatments. To learn more about protecting your teeth from stains, contact the practice online or dial (904) 824-3540.