It’s hard to think of summer without imagining the alluring chime of the ice cream truck song. Yes, much to the dismay of your favourite dentist on Dupont, hot weather often goes hand-in-hand with sugary treats and beverages.
While these indulgences taste great at the moment, they’re terrible for your teeth and gums. That’s why we’ve put together this list to help you make teeth-friendly choices this summer. Keep reading to learn more about how our dentists on Dupont recommend better health.
General Tips for a Healthy Summer Smile
Cut Back on Sugar
You’ve likely heard that sugar can cause cavities—this is, more or less, true. Consuming sugar creates an acidic environment in your mouth, which then wears down the protective enamel covering your teeth. Over time, tiny holes form in the enamel, allowing bacteria into the inner layers of your teeth and causing decay.
Consequently, cutting back on sugar is one of the most beneficial lifestyle changes you can make for your oral health. The less sugar in your diet, the lower your risk of developing cavities.
Of course, it’s easier to avoid sugar at certain times of the year. Summer and the winter holidays tend to be particularly challenging times. During the hotter months, the temptation for ice-cold, sugary treats and drinks is at an all-time high. While the occasional indulgence shouldn’t be a problem, it’s best to opt for healthier, low-sugar alternatives.
Eat Whole Fruits, Not Fruit Juice
Fruit juice has a reputation for being healthy, especially compared to pop and sports drinks. Unfortunately, it’s not great for your teeth. Juice isn’t just high in vitamin C; it’s also loaded with sugar.
Sugary drinks are particularly troublesome for your mouth. Every time you take a sip, you’re bathing your teeth in sugar. All that sugar residue sticks to your teeth, promoting bacterial overgrowth, plaque buildup, and acidity.
So, instead of having a glass of orange or apple juice, opt for the whole orange or apple. After all, fruits are part of a healthy diet because of the high vitamin, mineral, and fibre content. Whole fruits won’t expose your teeth to the same overwhelming levels of sugar.
Eat More Vegetables
Vegetables contain the minerals, vitamins, and fibre needed for a healthy body and mouth. Thus, rather than putting out a bowl of potato chips, think about how you can incorporate more vegetables into your meals and snacks. Online, you can find endless recipes with tasty ideas on how to spruce up vegetables and get even the kids excited. You can never go wrong with a good dip!
Hydrate With Water
We’ve already explained the main problem with fruit juices: you’re effectively soaking your teeth in sugar. The same goes for pop, sports drinks, and fancy coffee and tea beverages. These beverages are far too sweet for your teeth, leaving you at risk of developing cavities and other oral health issues.
Water is the absolute best thing you can drink, especially on hot summer days. It’s very important that you stay hydrated. Dry mouth is a natural side effect of dehydration, which results in the same acidic oral environment that can damage your tooth enamel.
6 Teeth-Friendly Summer Foods
1. Crunchy vegetables
Carrot sticks, celery, snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumber have a crunch that can rival any potato chip. Raw vegetables are incredibly satisfying to eat—and healthy too!
Not only are they full of vitamins and minerals, but they also act like natural toothbrushes. With every crunch, raw vegetables scrub your teeth and stimulate saliva flow to wash away leftover food particles.
2. Fresh fruits
Fruit juice may be a no-go, but whole, fresh fruits are a definite yes. The natural sweetness of fruit makes it a delicious substitute for traditional sugary summer snacks. Plus, the high water content makes them extra refreshing. Eating fresh fruit helps you stay hydrated and combat your sugar cravings. What’s not to love?
Seedless fruits are our personal favourite. Sometimes, seeds get stuck in our patients’ teeth, causing discomfort and trouble. Consequently, opt for seedless fruits when you can.
3. Calcium-rich foods
Calcium is needed for strong teeth. Therefore, try to snack on healthy sources of calcium this summer. Yogurt, cheese, and low-fat milk are naturally low in sugar and rich in calcium, making them an easy choice for many of our patients.
However, there are still plenty of options for those who are lactose intolerant or follow a vegan diet. Eating soy foods, white and navy beans, almonds, Brazil nuts, tahini, and amaranth can help ensure you’re meeting your daily calcium requirements.
4. Infused water
Water is the healthiest beverage out there. However, sometimes, we all crave something a bit more flavourful or special. That’s where infused water comes in. It’s a healthy and delicious alternative to sugary sodas, fruit juices, and lemonades.
Plus, it’s easy to make. Simply fill a pitcher or drink dispenser with water, then add the desired fruits, vegetables, or herbs. You can get very creative with recipes, so have fun!
5. Smoothies
Smoothies are another great choice for summer because they’re refreshing, hydrating, and healthy (depending on what you put inside, of course). In fact, smoothies are an excellent tactic for sneaking more vegetables into your diet. Think avocado, spinach, kale, cooked sweet potato, and zucchini. Of course, you can also add some calcium-rich yogurt or milk and plenty of fruit and berries.
For an ultra-thick smoothie that borders on ice cream, simply use less water and more frozen bananas. This is an irresistible, healthy treat on hot summer days.
6. Savoury dips
Savoury dips can encourage your family to eat more raw, crunchy vegetables. Furthermore, dips can be incredibly healthy by themselves. Hummus, for example, is full of protein, calcium, and essential nutrients.
Just make sure you’re checking the ingredients list if you’re buying your hummus straight from the store. Some brands sneak unnecessary sugar into their dips. Hummus is actually easy to make at home—all you need is tahini, chickpeas, garlic, lemon, and olive oil.
Casa Dental: Your Dentist on Dupont
It’s very important that you take care of your teeth by making healthy diet choices. However, you also need to visit your dentist on Dupont every six months for a checkup and professional cleaning. This is equally crucial for preventing decay and disease, and ensuring you enjoy long-term oral health. Contact Casa Dental today to schedule your next dental appointment.
To book an appointment in Toronto, call Casa Dental at 888-920-5324 or contact us here.
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