14 Dec A Sweet Treat for Teeth: Sugar-Free Mounds Bar
‘Tis the season for celebrating. As we gather for the holidays with family, friends, and colleagues, family recipes are made, cookie exchanges are held, tins of chocolate, and gifts of sweets abound. Enjoy a little indulgence this season with this sugar-free Mounds candy bar recipe and tips for protecting your teeth.
Holiday Sweets and Your Teeth
Sugar-laden foods, while delightful to taste, can cause lasting damage to teeth. As the naturally occurring bacteria in our mouth feed on sugar, it is converted to an enamel-eroding acid, leaving teeth prone to cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease.
Even at Imperial Dental Center, are tempted to snack on sweets this time of year. When parties and potlucks have your mouth watering, consider these helpful tips:
Candy Canes – these traditional sweets are meant to be enjoyed slowly. The sugar coats teeth and stays on teeth longer. Instead, opt for a soft peppermint chew for the flavor you desire with a faster dissolve.
Toffee and Brittle – These tasty confections can quickly turn into a dental appointment with a chipped or broken tooth. If richness is what you seek, consider our Sugar-Free Mounds Bar recipe below. Equally rich in flavor, with no added sugars, and it’s gentler on your teeth.
Caramels – An ooey-gooey favorite, caramels stick to teeth, lodging into small crevices and getting stuck between teeth. Consider a caramel-flavored cookie or even fudge for snack-satisfaction that’s less likely to stick around.
Keep a Healthy Balance – Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and cheese. Limit intake of sweets and keep a healthy balance with good-for-you foods.
Take Care of Your Teeth – Maintain twice daily brushing with flossing and rinsing in the evening. Drink plenty of water in between meals to maintain hydration and to flush harmful bacteria.
Still craving something indulgent? Try this simple recipe for Sugar-Free Mounds Bar:
Sugar-Free Mounds Bar
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Ingredients – 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened – 3 Tbsp water – 1-2 packets of stevia sweetener (Or 15 drops stevia liquid sweetener) – 2 Tbsp virgin coconut oil (20 g) – ½ tsp pure vanilla extract – 1/8 tsp salt – 2/3 cup sugar-free chocolate chips |
Directions 1. Combine coconut, water, stevia, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt in a food processor. 2. Press this mixture into the bottoms of greased mini muffin cups. 3. Freeze at least 25 minutes. 4. Melt the chocolate chips by heating in the microwave in 30 second intervals until they become a thin sauce. 5. Line a tray with wax or parchment paper, then pop out the now-hardened coconut treats and coat in chocolate sauce. 6. Immediately put them in the fridge or freezer to harden until solid. |
From Our Family to Yours!
This holiday season, we wish you good health, warm hearts, and memory-filled moments. We thank you for being part of the Imperial Dental Center family. Contact us today at (281) 265-3567 or schedule an online appointment.
Dr. Dragana Angelova
Imperial Dental Center
“We love to see you smile”