Summer Foods for a Healthier Smile
Pies, chips, soda, ice cream, and pop sickles are often popular foods we eat when celebrating the summer festivities and parties with our loved ones. These foods are tasty, but they may not be so good for your teeth as much as they are unhealthy for your health. The reason is these peoples are pack with highly refined sugars and carbohydrates that can settle in between the pits of your teeth and gum line. Trapped food particles create a perfect environment for bacteria causing cavities to feast on as you celebrate your summer festivities.
Instead of spreading your dinner table with highly refined sugary and starchy foods, you can opt for healthier food choices to serve your family and guest. Here are some food suggestions that are good for your teeth.
- Dairy foods
- Consider adding leafy greens rich in calcium
- Drink plenty of water
- Seafood
Cheese and milk are a rich source of calcium and nutrient. These bone fortifying foods can help strengthen your tooth enamel by replenishing calcium minerals. Calcium micronutrients help fortify and repair your tooth enamel. Another excellent source of calcium is yogurt. Yogurt can be enjoyed by itself or made into sauces and salad dressings.
Instead of just the standard iceberg lettuce, you can add leafy greens that are rich in calcium to the salad mix. Leafy spinach and kale greens can pack a good source of calcium. These greens are often fibrous and stimulate saliva as you chew. Saliva plays an essential role in keeping your teeth healthy.
Staying hydrated is essential as you and your family enjoy the summer activities. A cold sweet tea or soda may taste refreshing during the summer heat, but the sugar and phosphoric acids in these drinks can breakdown tooth enamel and promote cavity-causing bacteria to flourish. If you should choose to enjoy a cold soda, choose sodas that are sugar-free and enjoy in moderation. However, the best drink to keep you hydrated and healthy is to drink plenty of water.
Consider adding fish to your cookouts instead of only grilling burgers. Salmon and sardines both wild and farmed is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and calcium. Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for promoting heart health, but these sources of protein are rich in micronutrients, which plays a role in keeping teeth and bones healthy.
If you are due for your next dental checkup be sure to contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to schedule your next appointment.
