Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County: Tooth-Friendly Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving is right around the holiday. While we know you’re thankful for your friends and family, you should also be thankful for the good dental health of your little ones! Since Thanksgiving is a holiday infamous for rows of food choices, and tons of sugary desserts, it’s important to know what is the healthiest when it comes to feeding your kids. Have a tooth-friendly Thanksgiving meal with these healthy options:

Cheese , veggies and nuts are all great ways to satisfy your child’s hunger and protect their teeth. Cheese is great for teeth because it contains strength-building calcium and fortifies the surfaces of the teeth. Nuts contain calcium and minerals that strengthen and remineralize teeth. The chewing of hard, crunchy nuts also produces extra saliva, which fights germs and prevents decay. The same is true for chomping on raw veggies--especially celery, which can act as dental floss and help clean between the teeth.

While we know that no Thanksgiving would be complete without eating some turkey, try adding sauteed green beans as a side dish to help keep your child’s teeth healthy. Sesame oil has been shown to reduce the effects of plaque and even, in some cases, to reverse the effects of gingivitis.

Forego the super sugary pecan pie and serve up some fresh pear slices with honey yogurt dip. This simple yet delicious dessert will satisfy your kid’s sweet tooth and is so easy to make! Just combine a cup of plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey and a sprinkling of freshly ground cinnamon. Fresh pears have been shown to neutralize acid on the surface of teeth. Calcium and phosphates in yogurt strengthen and remineralize teeth and honey is a natural antiseptic.

These healthy Thanksgiving tips make it possible to enjoy a delicious holiday dinner without jeopardizing your child’s sparkling smile. We hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving.

Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County offers a caring and compassionate approach to pediatric dentistry, ensuring our patients are comfortable at all times. To learn more about our practice visit us here, or give us a call at 631-320-0880 to schedule an appointment today!