How Your Summer Eating Habits and Diet May Be Affecting Your Teeth
Are You Enjoying Your Favorite Summer Treats? How Your Diet Can Impact Your Teeth
As the summer heats up, your cravings for cold treats might also increase. While refreshing drinks and your favorite BBQ dishes are full of flavor, they can also take a toll on your teeth.
At Ridgewood Oral Surgery, we love helping you make the most of the summer season and care for your teeth at the same time. Taking a closer look at how your summer diet can impact your beautiful smile helps you keep your teeth healthy throughout the season.
Eat These Teeth-friendly Summer Foods
We’re excited to tell you that some of your favorite seasonal foods support your smile. Here are a few staples that you can enjoy with confidence!
- Fresh Summer Produce: Crunchy vegetables and fruits are always a hit for your smile, and you can snack away on apples, celery, cucumbers, and carrots to clean your teeth as you eat.
- Yogurt and Cheese: These treats are packable for hikes and picnics in the park, and they are a great source of phosphorus and calcium for stronger tooth enamel. Plus, they’re low-sugar delights that could help balance your mouth’s pH.
- Water and Watermelon: Staying hydrated is important for good saliva production, and you’ll feel cooler when you drink lots of water. Watermelon is known for its high water content, and drinking water helps to flush food particles out of your teeth.
Enjoy These Summer Options in Moderation
Don’t worry, we’re not here to ruin your summer fun. But, we also want to make sure you’re aware of how some of the most popular summer treats can potentially harm your teeth.
- Ice Cream and Other Sugary Snacks: Few things say summertime like ice cream cones! But, those sweet frozen treats can feed bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities. Make sure to rinse with water and wait around 30 minutes before you brush your teeth if you enjoy a popsicle or ice cream.
- Sports Beverages and Sweet Drinks: Parents often bring coolers full of sports drinks to keep kids hydrated. But, some brands can be just as full of sugar as the typical soda. If you indulge, try to avoid sipping throughout the day. Drinking the beverage quickly lowers how much your teeth are exposed to acids.
- Sweet and Sticky BBQ Sauces: Are BBQ ribs delicious? You bet they are. They’re also sticky, which allows the sugary sauce to stick to your teeth longer. Go ahead and throw that BBQ chicken on the grill, but rinse your mouth with water and remember to brush those pearly whites soon after eating.
Maintain a Summer-Friendly Smile With These Quick Tips
These quick tips can help protect against sweet summer foods for a healthier smile.
- Strategize Snacks: Go for fruits, nuts, and cheese instead of chips or cookies.
- Hydrate Frequently: Water is the best defense against summertime cavities.
- Brush and Floss: Do this twice a day, especially during high-snacking times.
- Avoid Chomping on Ice: This might feel good temporarily, but it’s hard on your teeth.
- Schedule a Dental Cleaning: With the kids out of school, this is the perfect time to visit our office.
Paying attention to your diet helps you care for your oral health, and the summer is a great time to prioritize healthy eating. Are you ready to refresh your smile before the fall activities arrive? Reach out to us at or visit our website.
