Thanksgiving is a seriously risky holiday for your figure, between the snacking, grazing, leftovers and – of course – pies, cookies and cakes. But it can also be a bad time for your dental health as well, as the foods you munch on can create a hospitable environment for the bacteria that causes bad breath or creates plaque. However, a bit of research conducted over at the University of Rochester Medical Center a few years back showed a surprising benefit of one of your dinner table’s holiday dishes – cranberries.
Back in 2010, U of R researchers discovered that the microbe S. mutans – a form of streptococcus – is disrupted when coming into contact with enzymes found in cranberries. The S. mutans bacteria is like a professional builder, though instead of laying bricks, it lays glucans – the substance that forms the gunky, whiteish plaque that builds up on teeth. This protects bacteria behind the glucans, allowing them to populate and produce acids and more bacteria.
In the presence of cranberry enzymes, however, the bacteria’s ability to create glucans is disrupted. This leaves bacteria in the mouth less protected, unable to build the glucans that serve as a wall for bacteria to thrive. With less ability to protect itself, your regular brushing, flossing and swishing with mouthwash has a greater impact and helps keep these bacteria from causing serious dental problems.
During Thanksgiving, we often enjoy starchy and sweet foods, like yams, mashed potatoes and pies. These great tastes may sate your sweet tooth, but starches and sugars are like coal for oral bacteria’s furnaces, allowing them to thrive. While the cranberry sauce can help, there’s no substitute for proper dental care. Bring along your toothbrush, and a travel bottle of mouthwash, and be sure to clean your mouth after you’ve finished your dinner to make sure that you keep your sweet tooth – and all the rest – to enjoy your leftovers and meals pain- and problem-free in the future.
Don’t forget to keep up with your regular dental appointments, as well. With the holiday season upon us, you want to make sure that you’re ready to enjoy the candies, feasts and everything else that the end of the year brings. Call Genesee Dental at 585-343-1113 today to schedule your next visit or request an appointment now with our convenient online booking system.