Thanksgiving is all about good food and, of course, gratitude. But while you’re feasting and appreciating the meal your family worked hard to cook, you might also find yourself apologizing to your teeth. Many Thanksgiving desserts are full of sugar, which only helps harmful bacteria speed towards cavity creation.
If you’re looking for sweet delights that are more forgiving on your pearly whites, keep reading. You’ll find you can enjoy festive fall flavors and preserve your oral health!
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Yes, fruit and chocolate still contain sugar. However, the natural sugar found in fruit isn’t as damaging as the processed stuff you’ll find in most store-bought pies, and true dark chocolate has beneficial antioxidants. As long as you don’t eat too many chocolate-covered strawberries, the boost to your immune system should mitigate excessive bacteria growth.
Creative Fudge
Traditionally, fudge would be a poor choice for your teeth! Fortunately, fudge-lovers don’t have to be deprived of their favorite dessert on Thanksgiving. The internet is ripe with low-sugar recipes that are simple to make. Some involve as few as four ingredients: unsweetened coconut shreds, peanut butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup.
Baked Apples with Cinnamon
It’d be a true tragedy if you couldn’t include some fall flavors with your healthy dessert menu! Instead of going for sugary caramel apples or an indulgent pie, you could shove some apple slices in the oven and coat them in a generous layer of cinnamon. This fruit has a diverse flavor profile too, so depending on your tastes, you could personalize your low sugar treat with tart Granny Smiths or juicy Galas.
Less Sugary Pumpkin Treats
It’s really hard to resist a Pumpkin Spice Latte when the leaves are perfectly crisp and the air is just chill enough to warrant a cozy cardigan. Unfortunately, many pumpkin-centric delights are stuffed with rich syrups, whipped cream, sweet spices, and other sugary additives.
But pumpkin is also full of nutrients that are great for teeth, like enamel-strengthening magnesium and bacteria-fighting vitamin C. To reap the benefits of these nutrients and enjoy this seasonal flavor favorite, consider making low-key pumpkin pancakes or pumpkin biscotti instead of elaborate pies or drinks.
Have A Happy, Smiley Thanksgiving!
Swapping out heavier Thanksgiving desserts will do your teeth a world of good, which will make it easier to smile wide on this food-centric holiday. Feel free to use any of these subtly sweet ideas, or search online for smarter, tooth-friendly recipes. There’s a whole treasure-trove of tasty, healthy desserts out there, so don’t be afraid to try something a little outside the box!
About the Practice
Dr. Emily Allen and Dr. Brandon Jewell are unified in their desire to help patients achieve healthier, brighter teeth! They have advanced training in a variety of dental specialties, such as endodontics and opioid health crisis training, and keep up with the latest trends in dental technology and techniques to provide patients with the best care possible. If Thanksgiving has you worrying about your oral health, give their office a call at 615-302-1414.