Super Bowl Sunday Has Arrived!
Super Bowl! Super Bowl! SUPER BOWL!
Almost everyone has February 5th circled on the calendar. It’s Super Bowl Sunday – often the most-watched American television broadcast of the year and among the most watched sporting events worldwide. Getting together with friends to watch the Super Bowl is an American tradition.
However, lost in the tradition of overeating, complaining about the referees and admiring the advertisements is oral health. In fact, oral health is most likely the last thing on the minds of those watching the big game on Sunday.
Even if you’re not a football fan or your team is not in the Big Game, you may still host or attend a party. For several hours on Super Bowl Sunday, you’ll be among family, friends, and colleagues to catch the pre-game, the big game, the commercials, the half time show, more of the game, and probably even the post-game.
A Super Bowl get-together demands Super Snacks…but not at the expense of your teeth. Here are a few game day snacking ideas that keep your teeth in mind. Of course, these are snacks, and no one is perfect. But these ideas will help make the day a little more tooth-conscious!
Cheese & Charcuterie Tray
Just a fancy way to say Meat & Cheese Platter! The cheese on the sidelines plays quarterback in this party tray. Cheese is a tooth powerhouse tooth strengthening calcium. Calcium is the key ingredient in a mineral known as hydroxyapatite that strengthens tooth enamel as well as bones. It also contains a type of protein called casein. Research suggests that caseins, along with calcium, play an important role in stabilizing and repairing tooth enamel.
Substitute Greek Yogurt for Sour Cream in Dips
Switching out the sour cream that is found in so many dips with Greek Yogurt will make a difference in your tooth health without affecting the taste…yogurt is a dental super food!
~ Yogurt is good for your gums –The probiotics (good bacteria) found in yogurt may help to slow the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. Healthy gums are essential to your overall health because gum disease can put you at an increased risk for a wide range of complications including heart disease.
~ Yogurt helps fight bad breath – Researchers have discovered that eating six ounces of yogurt each day greatly reduces the bad breath causing compounds like hydrogen sulfide. It turns out that the probiotics found in yogurt help to keep “smelly” bacteria in check.
~ Yogurt makes your mouth less acidic – Cavity-causing bacteria love an acidic mouth. Yogurt counters this by balancing the pH levels in the mouth which a less hospitable place for bacteria to thrive.
Fruit Salad
Everyone knows that vegetables are good for you and your teeth, but with all the talk about sugar, is fruit off limits?
~ Apples can act as a natural toothbrush by helping to stimulate your gums, increases saliva flow in the mouth, and preventing cavity buildup as they cleanse the teeth surface. Plus they are loaded with various healthy vitamins and minerals.
~ Kiwi & citrus fruits are a great source of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps maintain the collagen network in your gums, prevents gum infections, fastens healing, and strengthens your gums which further helps in preventing periodontal disease.
Remember, regardless of what you choose to snack on during the Super Bowl, be sure to floss and brush twice a day! To find more (tooth) healthy snacks you can put on your menu, click here!
