BBQ Time? What to Bring, and What to Leave at Home

Tuesday - September 20th, 2016

It’s officially barbecue season! In the spirit of dental health, here are some of the best and worst foods to throw on the grill:

To Bring

Grilled fish: Fish has many health benefits, and now scientists believe that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish can help fight gum disease and reduce inflammation caused by bacteria in the mouth. The best picks are salmon, lake trout, herring, sardines and tuna.
Veggie skewers: Veggie skewers are a fun way to add more vegetables to your plate. Bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini and squash are some of the best veggies to grill.
Grilled fruits: For a healthy, summer twist on dessert, skewer some fruits and throw those on the grill as well. Try watermelon, peaches, nectarines and strawberries, and grill until they caramelize.

To Leave Out

BBQ sauce: These sauces are dark and sticky, so they can easily stick to teeth and cause staining. They are also usually loaded with added sugars, making them particularly bad for dental health.
Potato chips and canned dips: Chip particles can easily get lodged between teeth, and canned dips are often full of unhealthy additives, preservatives, and sugars. Try to limit your consumption to stay healthy.
Baked beans: Baked beans may seem healthy, but in reality they are chock full of sodium, sugar and other unhealthy additives.
Sweet Tea: Sweet tea is brimming with refined sugar! Instead, start with unsweetened tea and add a natural sugar substitute like stevia.

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Orthodontics may be provided by general dentists.