With the sun out and shining there’s not a better time to be out and enjoying good food, company and weather! Fruits and vegetables are ripening and in season with the weather, offering a range of fresh, healthy options to add to your plate. Since your body’s health and your mouth’s health are connected, check out these smile-friendly summer food ideas:
Watermelon
You don’t have to stay hydrated with just water this summer – you can eat the H2O, too. On top of packing skin-protecting lycopene, watermelon consist of 92 percent water, which dilutes the sugars the fruit contains and stimulates the flow of saliva, helping protect teeth from bacteria.
Plus, with everyone slimming down into their beach bodies, watermelon might be able to help out. Research indicates that eating foods full of water helps keep people feel satisfied on fewer calories. Try this watermelon, feta and olive salad for a refreshing summer salad!
Strawberries
Juicy and vibrant, strawberries have one of nature’s bleaching agents as an “ingredient”. They contain malic acid, a natural enamel whitener. In this way, the strawberries effectively works to remove surface stains on your teeth. As a side benefit, if you feel any of the seeds stuck in your teeth, it’s another opportunity to floss! The red fruit also packs antioxidants and vitamin C that promote eye health, help fight bad cholesterol and regulate blood pressure.
Pears
Thanks to its fibrous consistency, pears make for a smile-worthy snack that stimulates saliva production. In this way, they lower plaque levels in the mouth and provide a barrier for teeth against harmful acids. However, you may want to skip the dried fruit, since they’re known to be sticky and sugary. For a great appetizer or snack, combine pear with some brie in this brie, pear and honey crostini!
Apples
Often regarded as “dental detergents,” apples are water-rich and make for a great on-the-go snack. They have tons of fiber that provide a scrubbing effect, cleaning the surface of your teeth as you eat them. The fruit also dislodges newly formed dental plaque. For maximum teeth-cleaning benefits, rinse your mouth out with water afterward.
Water
We know that iced tea and soda drinks are always flowing at the family cookouts, but might we suggest a healthier way to quench your thirst that is also good for your oral health? No surprise here, it is water!
A refreshing way to drink water is with a few ice cubes, but if you need something a little more flavourful, try adding some fresh fruits such as cucumber, lime or lemon to the water and let it sit for a few hours. Fruit-infused water can be incredibly beneficial to your health as well as your teeth. Serve it up in a nice pitcher, and you are good to go!
Cheese
Get out the cheese platter. Not only does this dairy boast cavity-fighting calcium, it has casein, a protein found in milk that fortifies the tooth’s surface. Studies have shown that cheese raises levels of dental plaque pH, which defends against tooth decay. Try out aged parmesan as a great remedy for acid exposure.
Raw Onions
You may be wondering why we are suggesting eating onions as they typically give you bad breath after eating them, but have no fear, a toothbrush or water is near! As far as the benefits go, the onion is known to eliminate bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease, so go ahead and add a few slices of these to your burger, sandwich or to other dishes like salmon!
Stay tuned for more blog posts about family and health as well as tips and news from the clinic. Read about more about what people have to say about Dr. Sunny Tatra and the team here. Don’t forget to follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips! To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!
