How Your Summer Eating Habits and Diet May Be Affecting Your Teeth
Enjoying a Refreshing Drink? Use This Guide to Maintain a Summer-friendly Smile
Few things are as great as a cold sports drink on a hot summer day. But, your craving for ice-cold sweets could increase your risk of cavities in the summer. While it’s perfectly okay to indulge at a backyard BBQ, it’s also important to be mindful of how your diet can impact your smile.
Our team at Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire and Orthodontics Too loves helping you combine your love for all things summer with finding ways to keep your smile bright. Exploring how to protect your smile by paying attention to your diet helps you sail through the summer cavity-free.
Treat Your Teeth to These Healthy Summer Foods
You’ll be happy to know that some of your summer favorites are perfect for supporting your smile. Here are a few of our office’s favorites:
- Fruit and Veggies With a Crunch: Feel free to hit up the farmer’s market this season. Carrots, celery, cucumbers, and apples are all on the table for teeth-friendly produce.
- Calcium-rich Cheese and Yogurt: Replenishing your teeth’s calcium and phosphorus is a great way to strengthen tooth enamel. Bonus: Both of these options are low in sugar and work well for balancing your mouth’s pH levels.
- Hydrating Watermelon and Water: We love how watermelon has a high water content and helps promote good saliva flow, even if it’s sweet.
Know Which Summer Treats to Eat in Moderation
We don’t want to spoil your summer, but it’s important to mention that these common foods could negatively impact your teeth. Eating them in moderation lets you have fun and preserve your smile.
- Sweet Frozen Treats: Summer wouldn’t be the same without ice cream and popsicles, but these sugary delights could feed cavity-causing bacteria. You can still enjoy an ice cream cone, but add a glass of water to your order to rinse the sugar away.
- Sports Drinks and Soda: Enjoying a cold sports drink after a trail run might feel amazing. But, you’ll want to avoid sipping on these drinks all day. After you finish your beverage, follow it up with water to reduce the effects of acids in your saliva.
- Sticky BBQ Sauces: Whether you love hot wings or a sweeter flavor, BBQ sauces stick like sugar to your teeth. It’s great to enjoy your favorite outdoor foods, but remember to brush your teeth as soon as dinner is over.
Use These Quick Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright This Summer
These useful tips will help you keep a summer-friendly smile for all of your fun in the sun.
- Pick smart snacks such as nuts, fruit, and cheese.
- Pour a glass of cold water to stay hydrated and beat the heat.
- Brush twice a day, and remember to floss to counteract frequent snacking.
- Skip chewing on ice to prevent cracked teeth.
- Pop in for a quick dental cleaning to stay on top of your oral health.
Summertime is no exception for taking care of your teeth and gums. On top of choosing the right foods, remember to schedule your dental exam and teeth cleaning by calling us at (603) 554-9236 or visiting our website.
