Super Bowl Sunday is Almost Here!
Whether you’re cheering on the Patriots or the Rams, chances are you’ll be snacking. Of course, most people know sugary foods aren’t good for their teeth, but it can be difficult to replace those treats with something that won’t damage your teeth. To help you take care of your teeth while you’re chowing down, here is a list of snacks that everyone – even your pearly whites – will love!
1. Veggie Platter
Easy to make or pick up, vegetable platters are a great snack for Super Bowl Sunday. The vegetables themselves are generally diet friendly, but the chewy, sugar-free nature of vegetables means they actually help clean your teeth. Foods high in fiber are usually chewy and end up rinsing your mouth out with extra saliva that’s produced.
Plus, everyone can add their own favorite flavors and dips. Hummus is a great option, low in sugar and acid, as well as a healthy diet choice. For more traditional dips, consider swapping in yogurt for sour cream, to make it more tooth friendly.
2. Seasoned Popcorn
Popcorn makes a great snack for a number of reasons like its low calorie nature or the fact that it’s easy to transport. To rev up your popcorn for the big game, pick your favorite spices to sprinkle over your popcorn, toss with a little olive oil, or add a little parmesan cheese and melt in the microwave!
You have lots of options with this treat, but remember, if the goal is healthy teeth, you’ll want to avoid sugary or acidic combinations.
3. Cheese Plate
Cheese is widely loved, but often avoided because of its high fat content. The good news is, now you have an excuse! A study published in General Dentistry found that cheese has anticavity properties. Like most dairy products, cheese has a high pH level, and adding a little cheese to your diet helps to protect your teeth from highly acidic foods.
While other dairy products are a good choice for their low acidity, cheese stands out because it requires chewing (which produces saliva). Compounds from cheese also adhere to your enamel, protecting you even after your snack is gone. If you’re really concerned about the fat content of this tasty treat, don’t worry – even low-fat cheese seems to do the trick!
4. Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Most spinach and artichoke dips include cheese, which we now know is a huge plus. However, don’t overlook these other great ingredients.
Artichokes are high in soluble fiber, which is great for calcium absorption (and like all bone, your teeth loves a little calcium). Spinach, high in calcium, helps build strong, healthy enamel.
5. Hummus
Protein rich chickpeas don’t contain any saturated fat or cholesterol, making hummus a good choice for your overall health. Chickpeas are also rich in folic acid, which keeps your mouth healthy by promoting cell growth throughout your body. Carrots also contain beta-carotene, which is used in vitamin-A production for strong teeth. Cucumbers are not only a healthy alternative to chips, but they are rich in vitamins B and C and have even been shown to help freshen breath and naturally whiten teeth!
