Have Your Thanksgiving Feast and Great Oral Health Too!

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - October 06, 2016) - As we come together to celebrate with family and friends this coming long weekend, the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) is passing along some tips on how to enjoy your holiday spread while still protecting your teeth.

Thanksgiving is a time when we load up on all the comfort foods like mashed potatoes with gravy, turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and lots of pumpkin or apple pie. But did you know all those starches and sugars wreak havoc in your mouth? Their acidic content can linger on your teeth for 20 minutes or more after your feasting is done and that can wear down tooth enamel and cause cavities.

The ODA has you covered with some helpful tips to keep tooth decay at bay:

• Rinse your mouth with water after each course to avoid bacteria celebrating Thanksgiving in your mouth. It'll also rehydrate you after that glass or two of wine.
• Add crunchy vegetables and fruits like carrots and apples to your meal. They're naturally sweet and are loaded with teeth-friendly vitamin C, calcium and iron.
• Steer clear of sodas, sweetened beverages and citrus juices because the sugar and acid content is tough on tooth enamel. Drink milk or nibble on some cheese instead to restore lost minerals to your teeth.
• Chew sugarless gum after your meal to get the saliva flowing and wash out acid and food particles in your mouth.

"Most people don't realize the acid in foods and beverages stay on teeth well after your meal is done," says Dr. Jack McLister, ODA President. "Following these suggestions can help you enjoy your holiday feast while still protecting your teeth."

About the Ontario Dental Association
The ODA has been the voluntary professional association for dentists in Ontario since 1867. Today, we represent more than 9,000, or nine in 10, dentists across the province. The ODA is Ontario's primary source of information on oral health and the dental profession. We advocate for accessible and sustainable optimal oral health for all Ontarians by working with health-care professionals, governments, the private sector and the public. For more information on this and other helpful dental care tips, visit www.youroralhealth.ca.