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Football season is snack season. Yes, even when the games are held on a day full of deliciousness – Thanksgiving – somehow, we still want to snack before and after the feast.
The most popular football snacks?
Dips and chips, pizza, wings, pigs in blankets, guacamole, and sliders are the most popular football snacks. These are the snacks we like to eat when watching football – specifically, the Superbowl, but football snacks are football snacks, right? And it all sounds so delicious. But you may have noticed that none of our favorite football foods could be described as healthy.
Tasty football snacks that won’t tackle your teeth
First off, let’s be clear: one day of happily reckless eating is unlikely to destroy your teeth – apart from issues like cracking a tooth on hard candy, getting a “popcorn abscess” or similar strange dental disasters. Your health may require you to stick with a specific eating plan year-round, and obviously you should abide by your healthcare team’s guidance. Otherwise, here are some healthy snacks that you can be thankful for:
Leftovers (or previews!) from the big feast – Some Thanksgiving foods won’t wreak havoc on your teeth and overall health. Think sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, cheese, veggies for those dips, etc.
Revise your favorite snacks – Baked chicken wings instead of fried. Yogurt in your dips instead of sour cream. Interesting veggie options instead of the usual chips. There’s a world of options, no matter what your personal dietary preference happens to be. Or just have what you like on t-day and whip up these healthier recipes for less indulgent days.
What’s good for your teeth is good for your body – Smile-sanctioned healthy choices will benefit every bit of you. Bring on the whole grains, fruits, nuts, lean protein – but skip the sticky sweets – things like caramels, raisins, goopy dessert sauces, and dried fruit dissolve slowly and bathe your teeth in sugar for extended periods of time.
Beware of popcorn – those hard little un-popped bits have a superpower: they are really good at sliding in between your teeth and gums. In fact, popcorn is so good at oral hide-and-seek that you may not even notice its presence until one side of your face swells up and your gums start screaming. Dentists even have a name for it: “popcorn abscess.” If you are a dedicated popcorn eater, power up your flossing skills.
Saying thanks to your teeth
Thanksgiving is an amazing holiday, so enjoy it to the max. We hope you have many things to be grateful for – even your teeth deserve thanks! Here’s our list of reasons why you should be thankful for your teeth:
Teeth work hard – With at least three meals a day, an average chewing rate of about 10 times per mouthful of food, means approximately 10,000 bites per meal. With a minimum of three meals per day, that equates to 30,000 chews a day. And, if one consumes more than three meals or chews gum often, then their teeth are working overtime. It is not easy being a tooth.
Teeth like cheese AND wine – Cheese and wine can ward off decay. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), red wine contains chemicals (proanthocyanidins) that may help stop bacteria from sticking to teeth, and cheese helps ward off cavities by making saliva more alkaline, according to Colgate. Just be aware that red wine can result in stained teeth! If you’ve recently had a dental whitening treatment, skip the red and go for white wine – or sip dark liquids through a straw. Same for any dark liquids, like coffee, cola sodas, and black tea.
Teeth are unique – Every person has a distinct, unique set of teeth, which can identify you as accurately as your fingerprints. In case you were wondering, your tongue print is unique to you, too.
Thanks for brightening our days – According to several studies, smiling can reduce stress on the body and mind, improve your mood, power up your immune system and may even boost productivity.
Keep your smile strong with a dental savings plan
Overall, the best way to show gratitude for your teeth is by visiting a dentist regularly and maintaining healthy oral habits. Ninety percent of dental decay is caused by oral bacteria, which can be controlled by good oral hygiene at home and consistent professional care. If regular dental care doesn’t fit into your budget, you can get healthy with a dental savings plan – an affordable alternative to dental insurance. Plan members report an average savings of 50%* on their dental care.
You can save on preventive care such as checkups and cleanings, as well as restorative care – crowns, root canals, braces, dental bridges, dentures, dental implants – even cosmetic procedures that are not typically covered by dental insurance.
Some dental savings plans also offer savings on prescriptions and vision and hearing care, as well as other health and wellness services.
Need help choosing the best plan for your needs? Give us a call at 1-833-735-0399 – we’ll help you figure that out. Want a quick peek at how much you can save right now? Use the calculator below.
*Discount Health Program consumer and provider surveys indicate average savings of 50%. Savings may vary by provider, location, and plan.
