After a long, hot day at the pool, nothing is better than coming home and grabbing a frozen treat from the freezer to cool off. Popsicles, fudge pops and other sweet treats, however, are often packed with high amounts of sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. You don’t have to sacrifice your oral health to keep cool this summer. If you are looking for a way to beat the heat but also keep your teeth healthy and whole, consider these summer smoothie recipes from a dentist in Dayton.
Wild Watermelon and Strawberry
Watermelon is a great source of vitamin C, which helps prevent cell damage in your gums that can lead to gum degeneration. Yogurt, meanwhile, contains high levels of protein and calcium, both of which are critical to building strong teeth and maintaining healthy tooth enamel.
Ingredients:
-2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed, seeds removed
-1 cup frozen strawberries
-1 ripe banana, previously peeled, chopped and frozen
-3/4 cup of unsweetened plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
Directions: Combine the watermelon, frozen strawberries, frozen banana pieces and Greek yogurt in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Avocado Apple Adventure
This smoothie not only tastes great but will leave you smiling brighter! Apples are naturally mildly acidic, which means they can gently kill harmful mouth bacteria and also whiten teeth. The mint leaves, meanwhile, are not just for decoration – mint is a natural breath freshener and has also been shown to whiten teeth.
Avocados contain an average of 18mg of calcium, which is critical to strengthening your teeth. They also have high levels of vitamin B6, which is an essential nutrient for good oral health.
Ingredients:
-3 apples, cut into pieces
-2 kiwis, without the skin
-1 avocado, without the skin
-1 orange, peeled
-3 mint leaves
Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
Blueberry Blast
Blueberries may be small, but they pack a big punch when it comes to boosting your oral health. In addition to containing high levels of protein and calcium, blueberries are a great source of manganese, which is essential for the proper growth and health of teeth and bones.
Ingredients:
-1 cup frozen blueberries
-1 ripe banana (peeled)
-1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
Directions: Combine the banana, blueberries and yogurt in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve.
In addition to practicing good oral hygiene and regularly seeing a dentist for preventive dentistry, making sure you get the rights vitamins and nutrients can help ensure your teeth stay healthy this summer.
About the Author
Dr. Mike Allport is an award-winning dentist providing comprehensive dental care to families and individuals in the Dayton community. With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Allport is well-qualified to meet a range of dental care needs, including preventive, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. To discuss with Dr. Allport which foods and drinks you should consume to help keep your teeth healthy, contact him today via his website or by telephone at 423-775-9971.