Charcuterie Board Ideas That Your Smile Will Love

It’s summer – a perfect time for picnics and outdoor gatherings so why not create a charcuterie board to share with your friends and family that will help boost their oral health? Traditional charcuterie boards often include heavy, processed meats and sugary snacks. Unfortunately, these items can damage your teeth so here are our tips on creating a board with lighter and healthier alternatives to promote healthy teeth and gums.

Protein-Rich Choices

Begin creating your board with cheese and lean meats. If you’re a cheese-lover, you’ll be happy to know that since it’s rich in calcium and phosphate, it’ll help strengthen your tooth enamel. Add a variety like cheddar, gouda, swiss, and mozzarella. These cheeses are not only delicious but will aid in neutralizing acids in your mouth. Lean meats like turkey, ham, and chicken are high in protein and phosphate which also support your tooth enamel. More of a fish person? Salmon is a great alternative since it’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids which reduce inflammation and promote healthy gums.

Fresh Fruits and Veggies

Don’t forget to eat your fruits and vegetables! We recommend including crunchy fruits like apples and pears since they can clean your teeth by stimulating saliva production. When your mouth produces more saliva, food particles and bacteria are washed away. Berries are also a great option since they contain antioxidants and vitamin C, which protect your gums. For additional crunchy options, add crisp vegetables like carrot and celery sticks and cucumber slices. These foods are high in water content, keeping you hydrated. They also act as a natural toothbrush and scrub away plaque and food particles with each bite.

Nuts and Grains

Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds provide important minerals to your diet like calcium and zinc. These minerals are essential to promote healthy teeth and gums. You can also add whole-grain crackers to your board which are better alternatives to regular crackers. Whole-grain foods provide fiber and nutrients without added sugars.

Smile-Friendly Drinks

Those delicious snacks on your charcuterie board are sure to make you thirsty but we want to make sure you select the drinks that benefit your smile. As always, water is the best choice. It keeps your mouth hydrated and rinses away food particles. Other healthy drinks include iced herbal and white teas! Herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos are less acidic and less likely to stain teeth while white tea contains fluoride and antioxidants, which help fight bacteria and prevent cavities. If you aren’t a fan of tea, try coconut water. It contains calcium and magnesium, minerals that are good for your teeth, and has antibacterial properties that help reduce the risk of gum disease.

We hope these tips help you create a mouth-watering charcuterie board that also promotes your dental health. At Castle Dental & Orthodontics, we want to empower you with the knowledge to maintain a brighter and healthier smile. By choosing the right foods and beverages, you can enjoy snacks that are good for your teeth and gums!

Enjoy your summer! If you haven’t been to the dentist all year, book an appointment with our dental team!