Summer is a time of year when many people turn their focus toward fun and entertainment. However, that’s no reason to let your health fall by the wayside. Instead, you can increase your focus on eating healthy by taking advantage of these tooth-friendly snacks that will cut down your risk of tooth decay and cavities.

How Snacking Impacts Your Health

Snacking can be a double-edged sword, letting you maintain nutrition but also having an impact on your oral health. It’s particularly linked with tooth decay and cavities. In fact, there’s reason to believe that 1 in 4 adults have one or more cavities.

People who are more likely to snack also tend to increase their risk of tooth decay. Many snacks contain higher levels of sugars, which play a vital role in sustaining bacteria. The bacteria in your mouth cause tooth decay and gum disease. You need to keep bacteria levels down if you intend to avoid serious oral health issues.

Worst of all, some snacks are so brazen as to leave tiny bits of food in your mouth. It’s practically a given that these particles will sustain bacteria for hours to come. Don’t fall victim to these types of snacks. Instead, drink water frequently throughout the day to stay hydrated and rinse away any debris.

Tooth-friendly snacks you can enjoy this summer.

Not sure what steps you can take to eat healthy this summer? It’s as easy as following healthy recipes that can be found anywhere. In fact, healthy recipes are an exceptional way to stay healthy year-round.

1. Homemade Popsicles 

Keep in mind that you can make your own popsicles at home easily to avoid the harsh sugars found in store-bought brands. Find out what steps you’ll need to take to achieve this freezy treat in your home with this recipe.

Just about any fruit will do, but some perennial favorites include apples, pears, peaches, and plums. You can help protect your teeth by reducing your sugar intake with this simple treat.

2. Try Out Veggies Instead

There are some snacks that tend to work their way into your diet whether you plan for them or not. Key examples include chips and crackers that leave behind plenty of pesky crumbs. Avoid this hazard with tooth-friendly snacks like vegetable sticks!

You can follow this recipe to enjoy healthy dips based on yogurt alongside your veggies. Carrots, celery, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and more are all refreshing and healthy choices.

3. Dazzle With a Yogurt Parfait

There’s no doubt about it, yogurt is a top health food in many different contexts. You’ll find calcium and an extensive range of other vitamins and minerals. If you need a healthy solution for that ice cream craving, yogurt offers an effective alternative.

A yogurt parfait lets you enjoy a variety of flavors. This recipe breaks down just what you’ll need to do to ensure that you have a truly delicious and healthy parfait with a variety of fresh berries.

4. Pizza That’s Made of Watermelon

Tired of regular pizza and its impact on your health? If so, you can always try out dazzling watermelon fruit pizza. This innovative treat takes a unique twist on an all-time classic.

Don’t worry about the toppings—there are no wrong answers. You can follow this recipe to make your watermelon pizza just like that. The watermelon is the base, and yogurt and a variety of other fruits provide the toppings.

5. Frozen Grapes

A cool treat is always a true refresher on a hot summer day. However, many of the typical frozen treats are loaded with excessive sugar. To beat the heat without ruining your teeth through tooth decay and cavities, try frozen grapes instead. Just make sure to cut them in half for younger children to avoid any choking hazard.

6. Gazpacho (But With Cucumber)

This recipe for cucumber gazpacho is a real treat that can help you stay cool and refreshed. This atypical dish takes a little-known classic, gazpacho, and twists it further by replacing tomatoes with cucumbers.

7. Trail Mix at Home

You can enjoy a delicious treat with trail mix at home. No longer are you bound by the whims of the corner store and its penchant for sugary sweets. Follow this recipe to create a stunning blend of nuts, seeds, and fruit.

Keeping Up With Your Oral Health This Summer

You can eat right, but that’s just half the battle to protect your smile. Routine dental care is also essential, so come on down to Monroe Family Dentistry. You can book your next appointment with your dentist in Greenville, SC, today.