When summer rolls around, the tastiest meals and treats come jumping out to meet you. Ice cream, popsicles, ice cold sodas (and even colder beers), hot dogs, fries, saucy pastas and juicy burgers… it’s a salty, sugary smorgasbord! But as we all know, these aren’t good foods to be eating in large quantities, for health reasons, diets (gotta fit in those swimsuits!) and dental care. But it’s not all bad! There are still plenty of tasty treats you can enjoy in the summer sun.
The best choices you can make include water, chicken and meats, certain fruits, milk, and nuts. They are believed to protect the enamel in our teeth by providing calcium and phosphorus. These two elements restore the minerals we’ve lost from eating the other, acidic meals that are present in our diets.
Watermelon is an excellent source of some very important natural antioxidants. It’s chock-full of Vitamins A and C, and stops inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. Plus, it’s very juicy — all that water helps to build up saliva and rinse out trapped food particles and plaque.
Sesame Seeds reduce plaque and remineralize enamel. In fact, did you know that a popular Ayurvedic medicinal treatment involves gargling sesame oil? It’s called “oil pulling”, and one controlled study proved that rinsing with sesame oil is equally effective to using mouthwash when it comes to reducing plaque and gingivitis.
When you get thirsty, a tall glass of Tap Water will go a long way. It may sound surprising, but, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, “67 percent of the United States population served by public water supplies, drink water with optimal fluoride levels for preventing decay.” Straight from the tap!
These foods are not a replacement for proper dental care, and we’re all going to indulge in the other delicious meals out there – and that’s okay! Don’t forget to come to Dental Health and Wellness Boston for your check-up. Dr. Jill Smith and her team will provide:
- Professional Cleanings when your smile needs a pick-me-up.
- Tooth Colored Fillings if your enamel becomes worn down and you get a cavity.
- And Crowns for those suffering from cavities or other dental damage.
- Many other services and cosmetic procedures.
Don’t let fear of dental problems rule your diet, but don’t completely disregard your teeth, either. Balance is key! No matter what happens, know that you can visit Dental Health and Wellness Boston and we’ll get you back on track.