Want to snack smart this summer?

Our family dentistry team at Whitewing Dental in McAllen understands that for a gorgeous smile, opting for healthy snacks is going to be key. But we also know that during the summer months, we tend to snack more frequently on sugary treats that are bad for our teeth.

If you want to savor the summer time while enjoying healthier snacks, WhiteWing Dental has a couple of suggestions that will definitely hit the spot. Plus, many of these snacks also help to keep you hydrated, which is great for these intense Rio Grande Valley summer months.

Let’s start with the good.

Veggies, fruits, nuts, and cheese all make for wonderfully delicious (and hearty) summer treats. By placing these veggies and fruits in your fridge, you also turn them into a nice cold treat to beat the heat.

Some of our favorite summertime snacks here at WhiteWing Dental include:

WATERMELON

Watermelon not only has many wonderful benefits linked to oral health, it’s also an amazing snack that can be absolutely refreshing when chilled. With both vitamin A and C, watermelon has the potential to boost the immune system, promote good health, and balance the level of bacteria in our saliva that protects the enamel of our teeth.

CHEESE

Snacking on cheese is another great way to balance the flow of saliva and bacteria. Cheese, and in particular, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Swiss, all help to wash away those stubborn food particles that can cling onto our teeth. This amazing summer time treat also helps to neutralize the acids that are naturally produced by plaque.

One of the best things about cheese is that it often comes in the form of string cheese, which is a convenient snack for when you’re traveling.

Let’s not forget those most dairy products are loaded with bone-fortifying calcium, and with protein casein, which helps to reduce the levels of acid in our mouths.

CUCUMBERS

Many crunchy and crispy fruits also contribute to protecting enamel and preventing decay with cucumbers being one of them. Cucumbers improve the production of saliva and are also vital for your gums by removing damaging sugars and clingy food particles.

Chock full of vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride, cucumbers are excellent summertime snacks that promote strong teeth and healthier smiles.

ICED GREEN OR BLACK TEA

Switching from your favorite soda to iced green or black tea is one of the best ways to protect your oral health and keep yourself cool during these scorching summer months.

Both green and black tea deliver fluoride to our teeth while simultaneously slowing down the buildup of chemical acids that help pesky plaque stick to your teeth.

Avoid these bad summertime treats.

What we eat and drink plays a huge role in our oral health. Consider avoiding the following snacks as they’re high in sugar content and generally contribute to enamel decay and plaque buildup:

• Soft Drinks
• Energy Drinks
• Sports Drinks
• Sour candy
• Hard candy
• Pickles
• Ice cream (opt for sugar-free)
• Popsicles and Lollipops

Don’t forget to visit WhiteWing Dental family dentistry this summer!

Enjoying healthy and delicious summer treats is only one part of maintaining a beautiful smile. You also need to visit your dentist for regular checkups and there’s no better time for this than the summer months.

From family dentistry services to smile alignment, sedation dentistry, and more, WhiteWing Dental will keep your smile as bright as the RGV sun.

Contact us today at (956) 686-5577 and schedule your dental appointments for a healthy summertime smile for the whole family.