Are You Ready for Some Football?
Getting together with friends to watch the Super Bowl is an American tradition. And 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 game day a little more tooth-conscious!
Hummus with Vegetables
Chickpeas do not contain saturated fat or cholesterol and they are high in protein….that means hummus is 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. Vegetables are a healthy alternative to chips, but did you know that cucumbers have been shown to help freshen breath and naturally whiten teeth? Carrots contain beta-carotene that your body uses to create vitamin A, which works to build strong teeth. Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli) are known for their cancer-preventing properties and is high in fiber. High-fiber foods promote good digestion and healthy cholesterol levels, and they also do wonders for your teeth—mostly because they require a lot of chewing.
Cheese & Charcuterie Tray
Charcuterie?…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 – A Japanese study of 1,000 adults revealed that the healthiest gums were found in those that ate the most yogurt. It is believed that the “good bacteria” (probiotics) 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
~ 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 brush twice a day for two minutes each time! To find more (tooth) healthy snacks you can put on your menu, click here!
