We’re officially a little over a month into summer – and though it may be a bit different this year, some of our summer traditions such as picnics, barbeques, and outdoor activities are still in full effect. That also means those summer snacks, good and bad, are back into our life.
So many traditional summer snacks are packed with sugar, and can settle in the pits of your teeth where they attract cavity-causing bacteria. We have three good summer snacks to consider and three bad snacks to avoid at your next summer fun gathering.
Three Good Summer Snacks
Crunchy vegetables
It’s that crunch everyone wants on a summer day! And vegetables don’t have to be boring – spice it up with a homemade low sugar/low acidic dip. Broccoli, celery, carrots, cauliflower and snack peas are all good veggie options that provide a great crunch!
Seedless fruits
Another great option to sit alongside those veggies is seedless fruit. The natural sweetness of fruit makes it an excellent substitute for sugary summer snacks. Be sure to opt for seedless though as seeds are likely to get stuck in your teeth. Great seedless options are watermelon and grapes and other fruits that contain no seeds include bananas, apples, blueberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple, cantaloupe, and mango.
Dairy products
A cheese board with the different cheese options rich in calcium is important for strong teeth and healthy enamel. Frozen yogurt is another great dairy product on a hot summer day. A Greek yogurt is another great option to go with those veggies mentioned above.
Three Bad Summer Snacks
Chips
Potato chips are standard party food, but this starchy snack lingers in your mouth, providing a meal for harmful bacteria. If you are craving something with a crunch visit that veggie tray!
Corn on the cob
You’re probably thinking, corn is a vegetable, how did it make the bad list? It’s not the corn that is the worst part, it’s more so what happens when the corn sticks to your teeth after eating it off the cob. Food stuck in your teeth will lead to damaging bacteria that can cause tooth decay and infection.
Sugary popsicles
Ahhh, a refreshing popsicle on a hot summer day … is full of sugar! So many summer snack options are loaded with sugar, not just popsicles. Consider options that are homemade with fresh fruit and even frozen fruit for a cold refresher.
Of course, it’d be impossible to avoid the bad options the entire summer so we have a few dental hygiene tips to help when you do:
- Drink plenty of water – not only is this good advice throughout the entire year, but by swishing water in your mouth it will help rinse away sugars and residue when you’re unable to brush.
- Brush and floss – summer vacation does not mean your teeth also take a vacation! Remember to brush and floss twice a day. And, bring floss with you to those summer parties incase you need to remove food from your teeth.
- Balance your plate – if you can’t resist the bad summer snacks here and there, be sure to balance your plate with the good options as well. Crunchy fruits and veggies can actually help boost saliva which is your mouths natural cleanser.
Visit carrolldentalcare.com/contact/ to book your next summer teeth cleaning with Carroll Dental today!