Usually, people consume food during three meals: breakfast, dinner, and lunch. However, as we go along with our days, we occasionally get cravings. Whether you love to have something sweet between your meals or you prefer to snack on crunchy chips, these quick meals can greatly impact your dental health. We all want to have a bright smile with healthy teeth, however, taking care of your oral health goes beyond brushing and flossing daily. Our diet has a lot to do with our overall well-being, including our oral health. If you are interested in learning more about the impact of snacking on your teeth, this blog post is designed to provide you with all the information you need, as well as our top 6 summer snacks for a healthy smile!
The difficulty of maintaining a proper diet
Opting for fast food or processed food has become more and more appealing. People love the convenience of packaged goods, however, these oil-fried products are one of the worst enemies of dental health. With cheap meals and snacks being easily accessible and often irresistible, maintaining a proper diet is quite challenging. Moreover, there is a lack of awareness among people about the significant impact of snacking on unhealthy food. Not only does it affect your overall health and well-being, but it can also harm your teeth. Nevertheless, when those cravings do hit, it’s best to know what kinds of food you should consume, rather than try to curb your cravings. Not eating enough food throughout the day can result in other health-related issues, as well as considerable mood swings.
Moreover, summer is one of the most troublesome seasons when it comes to dental health. High temperatures can cause dehydration, which in turn increases the risk of developing cavities and dry mouth. Not to mention that the most common summer snacks are usually filled with sugar. That is why it is important that you pay enough attention to your dental health!
How does snacking affect your teeth?
The reason why snacking is generally considered harmful for your teeth is quite simple. When you consume sugary or starch-based food, your mouth forms acid which can consequently wear down the enamel. The more you snack throughout the day, the longer your mouth remains in an acidic state. If the acid in your mouth is in prolonged contact with your teeth, your enamel will continuously wear out. In turn, this can result in the formation of cavities and tooth decay. If these cavities are left untreated, your oral health will be significantly compromised.
How can you curb the impact of snacking on your teeth?
There are ways you can positively influence your dental health. Opting for healthy snacks is a no-brainer, however, there are things you can do as well. If you find it hard to deal with cravings, here is a list of tips that can help you maintain a healthier routine:
Never skip breakfast: Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day for a reason. Not only does it help you start your day fresh with a lot of energy, but it also keeps your body fueled for the day. Your appetite for snacks is easier to control if you have a hearty breakfast. Make sure to prepare a balanced meal. Choose different types of food that are filling and will keep your hunger at bay.
Stay hydrated: Oftentimes, we mistake thirst for hunger. Your body may be simply in need of water, however, you can easily fall for a sugary drink instead. If you make sure to hydrate your body throughout the day, you will experience less hunger and fatigue. Also, cutting out sugary drinks is a must in terms of taking care of your dental health. Always go for water!
Try to consume less sugar: Most of the snacks you find in convenience stores are packed with sugar. Candies, chocolate, and cupcakes are bound to harm your teeth. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar will not only be detrimental to your oral health but also to your overall health. And as we all know, eating a lot of sugary foods is the number one cause of tooth decay, especially in children.
Maintain a nutritional diet: Eating a balanced diet is a huge help to your body! First of all, by providing your body with enough nutrients, you support your dental health. A poor diet promotes cavities and tooth decay, therefore, making sure that you consume enough food rich in vitamins and minerals is always a priority.
Maintain proper dental hygiene: It is imperative that you regularly brush and floss! Brushing three times a day is essential for proper teeth cleaning. Brushing helps get rid of the food stuck in our teeth, as well as clean the bacteria that is found in the mouth and that can negatively impact the health of your teeth and gums. Since a toothbrush cannot reach every area of your teeth, flossing is also an essential practice for maintaining your dental health.
What kind of summer snacks are good for your teeth?
Since we cannot eliminate snacking as a whole, it’s important to know what kinds of foods are okay to eat during the summer. There are certain types of food that are actually beneficial to your dental health! Here is a list of our top 6 summer snacks that promote dental health.
Whole fruits
Whole fruits are an amazing summer snack as they contain a lot of water. Consuming fruits will help you stay hydrated, while also providing you with important minerals and vitamins. These nutrients are essential for maintaining strong and healthy teeth. Moreover, fruit is naturally sweet which is great for those who get sugar cravings. Choosing fruit instead of candies or chocolate is a great alternative on hot summer days. Not only will you prevent tooth decay and cavities, but you will also contribute to your overall health and well-being.
In addition, many types of different fruits contain a lot of fiber. Dietary fiber serves as a natural cleaner for your teeth. For example, when you take a bite of an apple, the fiber present in the fruit works as a “scrubber”, cleaning the surface of your teeth. In turn, this promotes the health of your enamel. Meanwhile, the water present in fruits helps wash away a considerable amount of sugar which could otherwise potentially harm your teeth. It is important to mention that staying hydrated helps you produce enough saliva which can also flush lingering sugars and food residue.
The variety of fruits that make for amazing and super healthy summer snacks is quite diverse. You can choose among the following:
- Apples;
- Pears;
- Watermelon;
- Grapes;
- Bananas:
- Pineapples;
- Mangos;
- Berries.
Try combining them in a fruit salad or keep them in the fridge and consume them frozen for a refreshing summer snack. This works exceptionally well if you love popsicles! Just remember not to bite down into anything that is too frozen, as you risk chipping your teeth. We recommend that you drizzle some orange juice over your fruit salad if you want to try something new. Switching up the fruit of your choice helps you stay consistent with your healthy snacking routine.
Fruit juice popsicles
Another great way to utilize fruit is by preparing fruit juice popsicles. You can use freshly squeezed juice, put them on popsicle molds, and place them in the freezer overnight. You can then take them out and enjoy a popsicle anytime you feel like you need a refreshing sweet treat. Another idea involves combining different types of fruits into a slushy puree. Add a bit of ice and enjoy a cool and hydrating drink ideal for hot summer days. Although these snacks are sweet, they don’t contain artificial sweeteners or any added sugar, which makes them an amazing healthy alternative to packaged sweets.
Frozen yogurt
Everyone craves ice cream when it’s hot. The consistency of a creamy snack is just as satisfying as the taste. However, store-bought ice cream is packed with sugar, which as we mentioned earlier, is the number one cause of tooth decay and cavities. Fortunately, you can make your own healthy alternative for whenever you are craving an ice cream.
Yogurt or even frozen yogurt bites make for an amazing homemade version of healthy, sugarless ice cream. Try mixing your yogurt with fruit for added sweetness. Yogurt is packed with calcium, which is a vital component of strong teeth. Therefore, switching ice cream for frozen yogurt not only helps you prevent cavities, but it also promotes the strength and well-being of your teeth and bones. We recommend that you try Greek yogurt as it has a creamy texture that mimics ice cream the best.
Vegetables (but make them crunchy!)
If you prefer salty snacks and chips, vegetables make for a great alternative. All it takes is a bit of imagination! Take a potato and slice it into very thin pieces. Sprinkle some salt or other spices of your choice and bake them in the oven (or air fry them). You’ll get a tray of exceptionally tasty, crunchy homemade chips. No conservants or unnecessary salt. Another great idea is taking baby carrots and dipping them in hummus. Carrots are rich in vitamins and minerals, which promote your dental health while satisfying your sweet and salty cravings. Broccoli, cauliflower, and celery are some other options which pair really well with dips. Hummus or yogurt adds protein and calcium for a healthy and nutrient-rich snack.
Fresh smoothies
We mentioned fruit salads and homemade popsicles. However, fruits and vegetables can be combined to prepare healthy and refreshing smoothies. Mix your favorite fruits and add some Greek yogurt. You’ll get a thick and vitamin-rich smoothie that provides amazing nutritional value for maintaining your dental health. Try using bananas to create that ideal creamy consistency. If you wish to make a vegan option, plant-based milk or yogurt works just as well as plain dairy. We recommend you try soy or almond milk for some extra fiber.
Water (but add some flavors!)
We’ve made a point to emphasize how important hydration is, especially during those scorching hot summer days. Although you may be tempted to reach out for a pop soda or store-bought lemonade, these drinks are not good options, especially in regards to your dental health. Think about it this way: with each sip, you are exposing your teeth to an excessive amount of sugar. If you keep bathing your teeth in sugar you risk developing cavities in no time. Therefore, the safest drink is water. However, drinking water doesn’t have to be boring! You can try infusing your water with different types of herbs and fruit. We recommend that you try adding cucumber, lemon, strawberries, oranges, or mint leaves to a cup of cold water. Infused water has a subtle yet extremely satisfying taste! It may take a bit of time to get used to this routine, however, switching sodas for infused water guarantees tremendous benefits in terms of maintaining your dental health.
All in all, there are plenty of healthy alternatives to snacking. Summer calls for relaxing and enjoying the sun. Wanting to snack on something sweet and refreshing is inevitable, however, you can still indulge those sweet cravings by picking the right kinds of food and beverages. Next time you go grocery shopping, remember these tips and try to make the most sensible choices. Your teeth and smile will thank you for it!
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