The Best and Worst Summer Treats for Your Smile

In the heat of summer, you naturally gravitate towards cold foods and treats to help keep you cool! There are many summer treats that are healthy for your teeth and gums, but there are just as many more that are harmful. This summer, stock your fridge and freezer with some foods that help keep your smile healthy and beautiful and forgo the treats that can be incredibly harmful to your smile!

What are some of the best and worst summer treats for your teeth and gums?

The Best

The following foods can help keep your smile gorgeous all summer long!

Berries

Berries are high in cancer-fighting antioxidants, vitamin C, and beneficial phytonutrients that can decrease gum inflammation, promote healing, and even help keep you hydrated this summer. These include berries such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries that are ripe during the summer seasons and available for your enjoyment! Try berries fresh by themselves, frozen in smoothies, and to top healthy treats like yogurt.

Yogurt

High in calcium and loaded with vitamins and minerals for your smile, yogurt is a fabulous cool summer treat to enjoy that can encourage strong teeth. But did you know some yogurts have sugar contents that are comparable to soda? Always read the label and reach for yogurts that are plain or unsweetened then have your kids add their favorite toppings at home! Some great ones to try include berries, nuts, fresh fruit such as pineapple or mango, and granola.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a fabulous and readily available summer treat that both you and your kids will love. Watermelon is composed of 92% water and is high in vitamin C, so it’ll help keep you hydrated. Hydration is essential for a healthy smile our teeth and gums need saliva to promote a healthy bacteria balance and prevent tooth decay. When we’re dehydrated and our mouths are dry, our oral health suffers. Enjoy watermelon at a picnic or by the pool to decrease the mess and enjoy the benefits of this sweet summer fruit!

The Worst

Although the following summer treats are popular, try to steer clear of these foods as much as possible, or enjoy only in moderation!

Ice Cream

Although ice cream does contain calcium for healthy teeth, it’s loaded with sugar. The sugar content in many of these frozen treats is similar to soda and energy drinks yikes! Instead of keeping ice cream at home, only enjoy it on special outings and always try to rinse your mouth with water afterwards. The sticky sugar will sit on your teeth and cause acidity, bad bacteria, and eventually cavities. For alternatives, try your own homemade frozen yogurt combinations, or try healthy homemade fruit pops!

Soda

These sweet carbonated drinks are everyone’s favorite at barbecues and summer parties. Soda is extremely high in added sugar and is very acidic to teeth. The sugar and acidity can quickly damage your enamel, which protects your teeth from bacteria and plaque that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Skip the soda this summer, or only enjoy occasionally followed by water. For replacements, try seltzer water flavored with fruit or lemon, or unsweetened iced tea!

Potato Chips

Potato chips are not only high in fat and salt, but are very starchy and can find their way into the crevices of your teeth where they get stuck there and can promote buildup of plaque and bacteria. Instead of potato chips, try to snack on fresh fruits like apples or vegetables like celery and carrots these healthy foods can actually clean your teeth by scrubbing away plaque and bacteria. Plus, you won’t feel the need to brush afterward!

This summer, focus on keeping your smile healthy and enjoy fresh summer treats like watermelon, berries, and frozen yogurt. Enjoy high-sugar foods like ice cream and soda only occasionally, and always have fresh foods to eat rather than a bag of potato chips when hunger strikes.

Don’t forget to visit your dentist in Asheville Dr. Saunders for a check-up this summer kids might be out of school, but tooth decay and gum disease take no vacations!

At our dentist in Asheville, we’re here to help by giving you a list of the best and worst summer time foods for your teeth. Visit our dental services in Asheville Saunders DDS.

Book an appointment with our doctors this summer for the best and worst foods for your teeth. Call (828) 277-6060 now!