Thanksgiving is about making memories with your family and friends. From eating delicious food and watching football to playing with your grandchildren and taking a long post-meal nap, this is likely how you want to spend your time. Unfortunately, if you fill your plate with the wrong foods and are wearing dentures, you could find yourself visiting your emergency dentist. Before choosing which dishes to enjoy, consider passing on these foods to avoid damaging your dentures.
Which Holiday Foods Can Damage Your Smile?
If you wear full or partial dentures, it’s important that you take steps to minimize your risk of potential damage. Whether you’re a pro because you’ve been wearing them for years, or you just recently started living life with your new set of teeth, one wrong bite can have you spending Thanksgiving with your dentist instead of your family.
To better protect your precious smile, here are some holiday foods it’s best to avoid this time of year:
- Raw, hard vegetables and fruit (i.e., carrots, apples, etc.)
- Corn on the cob
- Tough, dense meats
- Hard nuts
- Hard candies
- Sticky foods, like marshmallows, caramel, etc.
- Popcorn
- Eggnog or carbonated drinks
While some of these mentioned can result in chips and cracks forming in your denture, others (i.e., beverages) should be avoided because of the high acidity and sugar they contain. As a result, they can lead to cavities and gum disease, both of which can put your smile at risk throughout the holidays.
Are There Safer Foods to Enjoy with Dentures?
Yes! You do not have to give up delicious holiday foods just because you wear dentures. Instead, there are plenty of safer options you can choose from when filling your plate, such as:
- Mashed potatoes
- Sweet potatoes (just be careful about brown sugar and marshmallows – try to avoid these)
- Tender meats, like turkey or chicken
- Green beans and other cooked vegetables
- Savory soups
By remaining mindful of what might hinder your smile this holiday season, you can better prepare when it comes to passing your plate. Not only will you still enjoy a flavorful meal, but you’ll also get to spend more time with the people you love.
About the Authors
Dr. Aaron Swingdorf and Dr. Luke Viall are two dentists who want you to enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. This is why they are pleased to offer helpful ways to keep smiles of all kinds healthy this time of year. Whether you wear dentures or just want to avoid damaging your natural teeth, we invite you to contact us at (952) 448-4151 or visit our website to discover which foods will help or hinder your smile.
We used the following sources to generate this particular blog article, some of which include:
